Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has launched a fresh political attack on Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. Rajbhar has announced a major rally in Azamgarh on November 29, aiming to bring non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalit communities together. He claims the event will challenge the SP’s political influence in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The announcement has added another dimension to the political contest ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with Rajbhar questioning the strength of Akhilesh’s PDA formula.


Social Harmony Rally Planned in Azamgarh

Rajbhar said the SBSP will organise a Samajik Samrasta Maharally at the ITI ground in Azamgarh on November 29. He described the event as an opportunity to demonstrate the unity of backward and marginalised communities across the Purvanchal region. Addressing Akhilesh Yadav, Rajbhar claimed that the SP chief’s so-called strongholds were weakening one after another. He referred to Kannauj and predicted that Azamgarh would also witness a shift in political influence. These remarks reflect Rajbhar’s attempt to position his party as a voice for communities beyond the traditional SP support base.


Focus on Non-Yadav OBC Communities

Rajbhar said the rally would highlight the political strength of non-Yadav backward communities, including Rajbhars, Nishads, Chauhans, Prajapatis, Patels and Pals, along with Dalits. He accused the Samajwadi Party of remembering these groups mainly during elections while failing to give them adequate political representation. Rajbhar argued that communities outside the Yadav social base should have a stronger voice in Uttar Pradesh politics. The rally is intended to bring these groups together under a common platform and challenge the SP’s claims of representing backward classes and minorities through its PDA strategy.


Why Azamgarh Matters to the SP

Azamgarh has long been considered one of the Samajwadi Party’s strongest political bases in Uttar Pradesh. The district has 10 Assembly constituencies, including two reserved seats. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the SP won all 10 seats, with four of its elected legislators belonging to the Yadav community. The Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency has also been represented by Akhilesh Yadav and his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav. In the 2024 general election, Akhilesh’s brother Dharmendra Yadav won the parliamentary seat, reinforcing the family’s political connection with the region.


Rajbhar Questions the PDA Formula

Rajbhar has challenged Akhilesh Yadav’s claims of building a broad coalition through the PDA formula, which stands for Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak backward classes, Dalits and minorities. By focusing on non-Yadav OBC communities, the SBSP chief is seeking to highlight differences within the wider backward-class electorate. The strategy could put pressure on the SP to demonstrate that its coalition continues to enjoy support across different communities. However, the actual impact of Rajbhar’s campaign will depend on participation at the rally and whether political messaging translates into voter support.


A Test of Political Strength Before 2027

The November 29 rally will provide an opportunity for Rajbhar to demonstrate his party’s organisational reach in eastern Uttar Pradesh. For Akhilesh Yadav, the challenge will be to retain the SP’s influence in Azamgarh while maintaining support among non-Yadav OBCs and other social groups. Rajbhar’s claims that the SP’s strongholds are weakening remain political assertions, and the rally alone will not determine the outcome of the 2027 election. Nevertheless, the event could become an important moment in the wider contest over caste representation, political alliances and voter support in Uttar Pradesh.