Is Opportunism Driving Akhilesh's Outreach to Backward Muslims Ahead of the 2027 Elections?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Danish Azad Ansari questions the motives of Akhilesh Yadav regarding outreach to Pasmanda Muslims.
- The 2027 Assembly elections are influencing political rhetoric and strategies.
- Concerns about internal conflicts within the INDIA alliance are highlighted.
- The SP aims to broaden its coalition by incorporating marginalized communities.
- Focus on the Pasmanda and weaver communities is emphasized in future party plans.
New Delhi, June 18 (NationPress) In a fierce political clash, Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari challenged the motives and timing of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav regarding his recent outreach to the Pasmanda Muslim community, accusing the party of being opportunistic as the 2027 Assembly elections approach.
Ansari, representing the Pasmanda community, criticized Yadav's newfound interest in Backward Muslims, questioning why the SP had been silent on community issues for so long.
“What has prompted the Samajwadi Party to suddenly acknowledge the Pasmanda community? Why this sudden concern for Backward Muslims?” the BJP leader inquired.
“I would like to ask, can anyone present even a single statement by a Samajwadi Party leader advocating for the Pasmanda community?” Ansari continued.
He also took the opportunity to critique the opposition alliance, particularly the INDIA bloc, of which the SP is a significant member.
“The INDIA alliance has proven to be a failed experiment. It resembles a sinking ship, with its passengers gradually abandoning it. From the outset, we declared that the INDIA bloc was a fragile structure built solely on personal political ambitions, and its downfall was inevitable. With the onset of elections, internal strife has become apparent,” he stated.
The comments followed a day after Akhilesh Yadav held a press conference in Lucknow, attempting to garner support from marginalized Muslim groups, notably the Pasmanda and weaver communities. He asserted that these groups are now integral to the SP’s framework of PDA (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpasankhyak).
“Regardless of who the victim is, the Dalit, deprived, and poor are part of the PDA. I am pleased that the Pasmanda Muslim Samaj has joined us today,” Yadav remarked.
He clarified that the ‘P’ in PDA also includes the 'Pasmanda Samaj', indicating the party’s intention to widen its social coalition.
Yadav further announced that the SP will focus on the issues of the weaver community, primarily composed of Pasmanda members, in its manifesto for the 2027 Assembly elections.