Akhilesh’s anti-BJP formula for UP: PDA, Muslim-Yadav votes and Gen Z

As the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections approach, Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party, is seeking to broaden his party's anti-BJP coalition. His strategy involves uniting backward classes, Dalits, minorities, the traditional Muslim-Yadav voting bloc, and disaffected young voters. During a recent statement, Yadav claimed that the convergence of Muslim-Yadav votes, the PDA coalition, and increasing youth dissent would guarantee the BJP's downfall in the state.

The PDA acronym, which stands for "Picchda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak," aims to expand the Samajwadi Party's social foundation and present a more comprehensive political alternative to the BJP.

In recent years, Akhilesh has been relatively restrained in emphasizing the Muslim-Yadav formula, instead focusing on the PDA coalition. The BJP has frequently attacked the Samajwadi Party's Muslim-Yadav support base. During the 2022 assembly election campaign, BJP leaders redefined M-Y as "Modi-Yogi," linking it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The party also associated M-Y with the acronyms "Mahila" (women) and "Yuva" (youth).

Akhilesh supports non-violent protests, but criticized the BJP for not arresting civilians who allegedly attacked protesters during a demonstration in Delhi. Drawing a parallel with Nazi Germany, he accused the BJP of utilizing political workers to target ordinary citizens. He further blamed the BJP for the deteriorating conditions within public institutions, stating that removing the crisis would lead to an improvement in these institutions.

Akhilesh also took aim at the Centre's foreign policy, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel. He expressed his disappointment with the BJP-led government's perceived weakness on foreign affairs. Lastly, Akhilesh criticized the BJP's claims of making India a global leader (Vishwaguru) by invoking the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, claiming that such assertions lose their meaning if the government cannot safeguard the lives of Indians living and working abroad.