Will there be an alliance between SP and BSP? Speculation intensifies due to Akhilesh Yadav’s statement

Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav said on Sunday that relations between Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party are continuously improving and these relations will become stronger in the coming times. He said this in a program where more than 15 thousand people belonging to different political parties took membership of Samajwadi Party.

What did Akhilesh say at the Prem Prasar Samaroh?

Speaking at the ‘PDA’ (Prem Prasar Ceremony) organized before Holi, he said that the aim of this initiative is to promote the spirit of brotherhood, unity and cooperation in the society. In his address, he said that the real power of peace, development and social harmony lies in the concept of PDA. He said that social unity is the basis of positive and progressive politics and this program has been organized to take forward this thinking. He also told that this time ‘PDA Holi Milan’ program is being organized before the traditional Holi Milan, so that different sections of the society can be brought together on one platform.

On this occasion, many prominent leaders also joined the Samajwadi Party. These include former minister Naseeruddin Siddiqui and former Apna Dal (Sonelal) MLA Rajkumar Pal. Naseeruddin Siddiqui was once considered an influential leader of BSP and has been a minister four times. He had held important responsibilities during the Bahujan Samaj Party government, but in the year 2017, he was thrown out of the party. His joining SP is being considered politically important.

Emphasis on opposition unity

Emphasizing on opposition unity, Akhilesh Yadav said that such joining will increase the strength and possibilities of PDA. He said that in history, leaders like Bhimrao Ambedkar and Ram Manohar Lohia had together tried to strengthen the politics of social justice and equality, but due to circumstances this effort could not continue for long. He expressed confidence that this struggle can be taken forward by uniting in the future.

It is noteworthy that Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party had formed an alliance in Uttar Pradesh before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, however this alliance was broken after the elections. Despite this, Akhilesh Yadav indicated that relations between the two parties are improving.

Making an indirect comment on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav said that a respected Shankaracharya has been insulted and the Samajwadi Party stands with his honour. He also alleged that unnecessary controversies are being created regarding traditions and religious norms. His statement is being considered in the context of the recent dispute between the administration and Shankaracharya during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj.