Lucknow: In a strategic evolution of its caste coalition, the Samajwadi Party (SP) is now making efforts to bring the Brahmin community into its fold, traditionally dominated by PDA – Pichhda (Backward Classes), Dalit, and Alpsankhyak (Minorities). This move marks a broadening of the party’s outreach to include upper-caste groups perceived to be politically and socially alienated.
SP leader Pooja Shukla, in a conversation with Aaj Tak, stated that “oppressed Brahmins are also part of the PDA” and that their inclusion is not incidental but part of a larger political strategy. “They will have a powerful and articulate presence in the coming political battle,” she affirmed, hinting at the party’s attempt to stitch together a more inclusive alliance based on shared experiences of marginalization.
This redefinition of PDA aligns with what SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav articulated earlier:
“PDA is basically the name of that unity born out of consciousness and common feeling – a unity forged against exploitation and oppression of those who are backward, Dalit, and minority.”
The current initiative seems to extend this sentiment to sections of the Brahmin community that, according to the SP, have also experienced neglect or injustice under the present regime. By weaving Brahmins into the PDA narrative, the SP is attempting to present a pan-caste coalition grounded in shared grievances rather than traditional identity lines.
Engagements are already underway, with SP leaders holding meetings with Brahmin figures across the state and acknowledging their cultural and political contributions. The move is being closely watched by political analysts who believe that such an expanded social alliance could significantly alter the power dynamics ahead of the upcoming elections.
