BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections still some distance away, Samajwadi Party president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has begun shaping the political contest around a familiar but increasingly potent set of themes: rising prices, unemployment, social justice and the preservation of democratic institutions. Speaking during an interview with a news channel, (NATION 27) at Hotel Taj, Akhilesh Yadav claimed that, out of fear of the Samajwadi Party’s PDA strategy, the BJP extends what he described as “token and insincere respect” to its allies.at a hotel in Lucknow, Yadav projected confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s long period of political dominance in Uttar Pradesh is nearing a decisive challenge.
At the centre of his strategy is the PDA formula, an alliance of backward classes, Dalits and minorities, which he believes can consolidate diverse social groups under a common political agenda. According to Yadav, the BJP has struggled to counter this social coalition. He argued that the party’s dependence on its allies reflects a deeper anxiety about shifting political currents in the state. Yet beyond electoral arithmetic, Yadav sought to tap into everyday concerns that resonate far beyond party lines. He repeatedly returned to the issues of unemployment and inflation, describing them as the defining anxieties of ordinary families.
“People are asking where the jobs are,” he said, pointing to repeated incidents of examination paper leaks and delays in recruitment processes. He accused both the state and central governments of failing to address the aspirations of young people entering the workforce. For millions of students and job seekers in Uttar Pradesh, competitive examinations represent a pathway to economic stability. Every cancelled test or leaked paper, Yadav argued, deepens frustration and erodes public trust.
The Samajwadi Party chief also linked economic concerns with broader allegations of social injustice. Referring to his party’s recently released PDA audit report on government recruitment, he alleged that members of marginalised communities have faced discrimination in employment opportunities and law enforcement actions. He criticised the state’s use of bulldozer demolitions, claiming that these measures have disproportionately affected vulnerable communities. He also raised concerns over alleged fake encounters, saying such actions have heightened feelings of insecurity among sections of society.
Yadav reserved some of his sharpest criticism for the state’s handling of electricity services and the rollout of smart meters. He claimed that mounting public anger over rising utility costs has turned the issue into a significant political flashpoint. Across Uttar Pradesh, debates around electricity bills, infrastructure quality and public services are increasingly shaping voter sentiment. Yadav argued that these everyday concerns—not grand political slogans—will ultimately define the next election.
He also questioned the government’s performance in healthcare and education, alleging that public institutions have weakened while private facilities continue to expand. Citing examples from Gorakhpur and Agra, he claimed that primary healthcare centres and schools have either shut down or suffered from inadequate resources. At the same time, Yadav sought to remind voters of the Samajwadi Party’s own record in office. He highlighted projects such as the Lucknow-Agra Expressway, metro rail initiatives, the Gomti riverfront development and investments in power generation, portraying them as evidence of a development model focused on infrastructure and public services.
The former chief minister further accused the BJP of pursuing a politics of division and negativity, claiming that public discourse has become increasingly polarised. Looking ahead to 2027, Yadav framed the upcoming election as more than a contest for power. In his view, it will be a referendum on economic hardship, governance and the future direction of Indian democracy itself. Whether this message gains traction remains to be seen. But with inflation continuing to strain household budgets and employment concerns dominating conversations among young voters, the battle for Uttar Pradesh is already moving beyond traditional political narratives.
