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In the politics of Uttar Pradesh, arrows of statements, politics of religious symbols and tug of war in the political arena are always hot. Meanwhile, the ideological and political conflict that started between Samajwadi Party (SP) national president and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav and Bageshwar Dham chief Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has become the biggest center of politics in the state. There is a strong discussion in the political circles whether Akhilesh Yadav jumping into the ‘BJP arena’ and targeting Dhirendra Shastri’s statements and his working style will bring any major political benefit to the Samajwadi Party or can this move backfire on the party itself? Political analysts have been divided into two factions regarding the upcoming political equations of Uttar Pradesh, caste balance and the far-reaching consequences of this entire incident among Hindu voters.
#1 Why has this issue of Akhilesh Yadav and Dhirendra Shastri heated up the politics of Uttar Pradesh?
The whole matter came to a head when political reactions started on Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s religious stories, statements and events related to Sanatan culture through various forums and statements. Questions were constantly being raised from the opposition parties, especially the Samajwadi Party camp, as to what kind of ideological and social trend was being promoted under the guise of religion. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken an aggressive stance on this entire controversy and has directly accused the SP of insulting the Hindu faith and saints. Political experts believe that BJP has always been adept at playing such issues on its own pitch, where the majority of voters can be united by connecting the threads of religious sentiments and nationalism. In such a situation, Akhilesh Yadav’s entry on this pitch may also prove to be like getting entangled in the political trap created by BJP.
#1 Battle of PDA vs Hindutva: Will this move of Akhilesh Yadav cause harm?
Samajwadi Party is currently busy strengthening the electoral and social fabric in Uttar Pradesh under its ‘PDA’ (Backward, Dalit, Minority) formula. The main focus of the party has been to corner the government on fundamental issues like unemployment, inflation, law and order and rights of backward people. But when in such cases the narrative turns towards religious figures and storytellers, mainstream development issues are left behind and the debate becomes completely polarized. Analysts believe that a large section of Uttar Pradesh has deep faith in religious storytellers and saints. If any sharp or aggressive comment is made by the opposition, the ruling party immediately publicizes it as an ‘insult to Sanatan Dharma’, due to which a large section of the majority voters can be emotionally mobilized in favor of the BJP.
#1 BJP’s strategy: Keeping the opposition entangled in religious debates
Political strategists believe that BJP never wants the politics of Uttar Pradesh to be limited only to the issues of employment, education or local development. BJP always wants that elections and political debates should be focused on such ideological and cultural points which will make their ideological ground more fertile. By engaging in ideological confrontation with popular storytellers like Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the Samajwadi Party is unknowingly providing the BJP a pitch on which it has always been comfortable and favorable for the saffron camp to play. This is the reason why political pundits are warning Akhilesh Yadav that by engaging in direct political wrestling with saints and religious forums, his ‘PDA’ agenda may get weakened and the ruling party may directly benefit from it.
#1 Impact on the pulse of the public and future electoral equations
The voter of Uttar Pradesh has now become very aware and understands very well which leader’s statement is being given under which political intention. While on one hand SP supporters believe that it is the duty of the opposition to express ideological opposition and talk about scientific thinking and the Constitution in the society, on the other hand the opposition camp is leaving no stone unturned in terming it as appeasement and anti-Hindu mentality. In the coming days, it will be very interesting to see whether Akhilesh Yadav escapes this religious and political siege and again focuses on his core evolutionary and social justice issues, or dives deeper into this high-voltage political arena. At present, it is clear that this rhetoric and political maneuvering will keep the politics of Uttar Pradesh heated for a long time.