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In a strategic move aimed at consolidating Muslim votes in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has intensified efforts to bolster support for his party and Congress candidates in 13 Muslim-dominated constituencies slated for the first and second phases of the Lok Sabha elections. Yadav’s recent visit to Sitapur jail to meet party leader Azam Khan underscores his commitment to standing by Khan amid ongoing legal battles and political challenges.
During his meeting with Azam Khan, Yadav discussed key electoral constituencies, including Rampur, where Khan emerged victorious in the 2019 LS polls. With Khan and several other SP leaders currently incarcerated, Yadav’s gesture aimed to convey solidarity and reassure Muslim leaders and voters of his unwavering support.
Addressing the media in Sitapur, Yadav condemned the alleged injustice meted out to Azam Khan and his family by the government, emphasizing the need for justice to prevail. He criticized what he termed as the government’s record of fabricating cases against political opponents and expressed confidence that justice would eventually prevail.
Rampur, along with seven other constituencies, is set to go to polls in the first phase on April 19. Despite the absence of declared candidates for Rampur, Moradabad, and Bijnore seats, sources within the SP suggest that Yadav consulted Azam Khan regarding potential candidates, given Khan’s significant influence in these regions.
The incarceration of Azam Khan, his wife, and son has sparked allegations of political vendetta, with the SP accusing the BJP government of pursuing vindictive tactics. As Muslim voters constitute a significant portion of the electorate in Uttar Pradesh, their voting behavior is expected to play a decisive role in determining the outcome of key constituencies.
With the SP-Congress alliance eyeing a substantial share of the Muslim vote, political observers anticipate a competitive electoral landscape in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The deployment of the OBC-Muslim-Dalit formula, now termed as the PDA (Backwards, Dalits, Muslims) by the SP, reflects the party’s strategic approach to garnering support from diverse communities.
Both the SP and its alliance partner Congress have prioritized Muslim candidates for select constituencies, signaling their commitment to inclusivity and representation. As electoral campaigns gain momentum, the focus on Muslim-dominated seats underscores the significance of minority communities in shaping the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
As the countdown to the elections continues, the political dynamics in Uttar Pradesh are poised for a dramatic showdown, with parties vying for the support of diverse voter demographics. The outcome of the elections in Muslim-dominated constituencies is expected to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of the state and beyond.
