More than optics: Akhilesh’s MLC gambit targets BJP, courts upper castes

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s decision to replace party nominees with BJP rebels and ticket hopefuls for the MLC polls may appear to be a clever attempt to embarrass the BJP. Yet, beyond the optics, the move underscores SP’s attempt to project its PDA coalition as an inclusive social alliance with space for upper castes as well.On Saturday, the SP chief replaced Kamlesh Yadav – who was declared the SP candidate from Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers constituency - with BJP rebel Sanjayan Tripathi. Similarly, SP candidate from Agra Graduate seat Prakash Chandra Gupta was replaced by Akash Agarwal who was seeking a ticket from the BJP. The move, SP strategists say, was aimed at hitting the rival BJP on more than one front.To begin with, the idea behind inducting Sanjayan Tripathi and Akash Agarwal was to demolish BJP’s claims that SP’s PDA plank - which originally focused on Pichhde (backward classes), Dalit and alpsankhyaks (minorities) – was a gateway to politics of caste divide where upper castes have no role. It was this charge of the BJP that prompted Akhilesh to announce that the letters ‘PD’ in PDA stood for Pandits and upper castes.“Now Sanjayan Tripathi - who happens to be a Brahmin - has been accommodated by SP on a seat vacated by party nominee Kamlesh Yadav who hails from OBC community. Is there anything more needed to explain SP’s commitment towards everyone who is ‘Peedit’ because of BJP,” said a senior SP functionary associated with drafting party strategies.At the same time, SP nominee Prakash Chandra Gupta being replaced by Akash Agarwal too has sent across the message that other upper caste communities, which may not have been known for traditionally backing SP in polls, were also equally welcomed, he said.What actually paved way for Sanjayan Tripathi’s entry into SP was his recent emotional videos that went viral on social media where he was seen taking off the BJP flag from the bonnet mast of his SUV recalling how he had served the BJP selflessly for so many years and how his supporters now wanted him to take a stand on being neglected and sidelined.Political observers believe that what added to Tripathi’s appeal was the fact that he was seeking MLC ticket from (Gorakhpur – Faizabad Teachers seat) a region where Akhilesh had accused the BJP govt of targeting Brahmins and coined the phase “unhen hata nahi bhata, tilak nahi lubhata” (someone does not approve of haata and tilak) during political addresses to target chief minister Yogi Adityanath.Political observers are of the view that Akhilesh’s ‘Haata’ jibe apparently refers to Tiwari Hata in Gorakhpur – the residence of influential Brahmin face Harishankar Tiwari. In 2021, Hari Shankar’s elder son former MP Bhishma Shankar alias Kushal Tiwari, younger son and then BJP MLA from Chillupar Vinay Shankar Tiwari along with a host of community influentials sided with the SP.In April 2025, the enforcement directorate (ED) raided the premises associated with Vinay Shankar Tiwari in connection with a bank fraud case.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.