INVC NEWS
Lucknow – : The samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is rewriting his political playbook in Uttar Pradesh, two years ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. After years of being seen as a party dominated by upper-caste Muslims (Ashraf), the SP is now shifting gears — opening its doors to the long-overlooked Pasmanda Muslims, who form nearly 85% of UP’s Muslim population.
Why Pasmanda Muslims Matter in UP Politics
Muslims make up about 20% of UP’s population, and within this, Pasmanda Muslims — categorized as OBC and backward communities — account for a massive majority. These include groups like Ansaris, Qureshis, Mansuris, Saifis, and others. Traditionally underrepresented in politics and institutions, Pasmanda Muslims have long complained about being politically ignored in favor of the Ashraf (elite Muslims like Syeds, Sheikhs, Pathans).
What Changed Akhilesh’s Strategy?
On Tuesday, Akhilesh held a high-profile meeting in Lucknow with key Pasmanda leaders, including Anis Mansoori, Mahboob Alam Ansari, Shadab Qureshi, and others. This followed a growing perception — fueled by BJP narratives — that SP favored only Ashraf Muslims. By holding this meeting, Akhilesh is trying to counter BJP’s outreach and prevent erosion of his traditional Muslim vote base.
This pivot also mirrors Prime Minister Modi’s Pasmanda outreach campaign, where BJP has held community-specific meetings and mobilized backward Muslim support through its Minority Morcha.
Pasmandas: The New Battleground
With the Congress and AIMIM also eyeing Muslim votes, Akhilesh can’t afford to ignore this massive bloc. He knows that in 2022, nearly 85% of Muslims voted SP, and in 2024, the figure rose to 90%. But criticisms grew over lack of Pasmanda representation in party leadership.
SP’s latest efforts include:
Promising weaver welfare, training, and modern tech support.
Alleging that the BJP killed welfare schemes for artisans.
Ensuring caste census includes Pasmanda Muslims.
Akhilesh’s Political Equation: PDA + Pasmandas
Akhilesh is pushing a PDA formula — Pichhda, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak (Backward, Dalit, Minority). But critics like Congress’s Imran Masood asked, “Where are the Muslims in SP’s PDA?” With Pasmanda Muslims forming the largest chunk of the 20% Muslim population, this demographic is no longer optional — it’s essential.
The BJP’s attempts to paint SP as an Ashraf-centric party have clearly hit home. The inclusion of diverse backward Muslim castes on stage was a visual message — the old hierarchy is being challenged.
