Lucknow, August 10: Political dynamics in Uttar Pradesh are shifting as the 2027 assembly elections approach. The Samajwadi Party (SP) is now crafting a ‘soft Hindutva’ narrative in response to the BJP’s ’80 vs 20′ Hindutva strategy. This shift indicates that the SP is preparing to challenge the BJP’s strongest political weapon on its own turf, focusing on issues related to temples, religion, and Hindu faith.
Political analysts believe that the SP is attempting to expand its acceptance among voters beyond its traditional base. The party’s strategy reflects this direction, strengthening social equations with the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) while actively engaging in cultural and religious issues.
In Meerut, the Chief Minister welcomed Kanwariyas with flower showers, while SP workers also celebrated the Shiva devotees on the highway. They expressed hopes for a blessed journey for all Shiva devotees. SP legislator Atul Pradhan from Sardhana was seen actively serving the Kanwariyas.
Political analyst Virendra Singh Rawat noted that the SP is moving beyond its traditional focus on social justice and the PDA’s political base. It is now bringing Hindu faith, cultural issues, and Sanatan values into the political discourse. Akhilesh Yadav’s increasing presence in temples, meetings with saints, and vocal stance on religious issues signal this strategic shift.
He highlighted the construction of the Kedareshwar temple in Etawah, posters proclaiming ‘Sanatan is Socialism’ outside SP offices, and events related to Lord Parshuram as efforts to engage the Brahmin community. Yadav’s meeting with Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand and subsequent criticisms of the government on religious matters are also seen as part of this strategy. Additionally, the SP is emphasizing alleged irregularities related to donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
Senior political analyst Ratan Mani Lal believes the SP has been working to build a broader social base beyond its traditional ‘MY’ equation over the past couple of years. He stated that Akhilesh Yadav realizes that a limited social coalition is insufficient for reaching power. The BJP has successfully united various segments of Hindu society under a broad Hindutva umbrella, and the SP is now attempting to carve out its space within that broader social framework.
The party’s overarching strategy aims to convey that no single political party can monopolize Hindutva or Hindu faith. The SP is also asserting its connection to Hindu traditions and beliefs, which can be viewed as a step towards ‘soft Hindutva.’ Senior political analyst Rajeev Srivastava remarked that caste and religion have been two major bases in Uttar Pradesh politics for the past three to four decades. After 2014, the BJP strengthened its politics of consolidating Hindu votes, which has benefited them.
However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, caste equations re-emerged, benefiting the SP and Congress. Now, other parties face the challenge of appealing to the majority Hindu voters in response to the BJP’s Hindutva. It will be difficult to counter the BJP’s aggressive Hindutva without fully distancing from ‘soft Hindutva.’
BJP spokesperson Avneesh Tyagi accused the SP of engaging in superficial politics similar to Congress. He claimed that the SP has no genuine connection to Sanatan or Hinduism, alleging that the party is merely pretending to change its stance on Hindu faith for electoral gain, despite its historically anti-Sanatan position.
In response, SP spokesperson Ashok Yadav stated, “The BJP uses Sanatan as a political tool. Sanatan speaks of love, harmony, and inclusivity, not discrimination and hatred. We oppose the BJP’s hypocritical and hateful interpretation of Sanatan, not Sanatan itself. Our Sanatan is the inclusive vision of Swami Vivekananda.”
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