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The Samajwadi Party has decided to release “localised manifestos” tailored for specific regions such as Mathura-Vrindavan, Agra, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, and Bundelkhand.
SP president Akhilesh Yadav. (Image: PTI File)
As Uttar Pradesh inches closer to the 2027 Assembly elections, the Samajwadi Party (SP) under Akhilesh Yadav is recalibrating its political strategy with a distinctly local touch. In a major shift from statewide campaign templates of the past, the party has decided to release “localised manifestos” tailored for specific regions such as Mathura-Vrindavan, Agra, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, and Bundelkhand — each reflecting the social, cultural, and developmental priorities of that area.
The move marks the beginning of a renewed effort by the SP to reconnect with its traditional voter base while reaching out to new social and regional constituencies. Party insiders say the initiative is designed to counter what they describe as the BJP’s “centralised narrative” of nationalism and religion with an agenda rooted in local aspirations, livelihood, and social justice.
Ground-Level Drafting
According to senior party leaders, the idea of region-specific manifestos emerged during a strategy meeting at the SP headquarters in Lucknow earlier this month. Akhilesh Yadav reportedly directed district units and regional coordinators to conduct surveys, meet local stakeholders, and prepare drafts highlighting issues unique to each area.
But, how? For instance, the Mathura-Vrindavan manifesto is expected to focus on heritage tourism, water scarcity, and better infrastructure for small traders and temple workers. In Bundelkhand, the emphasis is likely to be on drought relief, irrigation, and rural employment, while the Purvanchal document will address healthcare, sugarcane dues, and youth migration.
“Every region has its own pain points. The people of Bundelkhand don’t need expressways as much as they need water; in eastern UP, unemployment and healthcare are bigger concerns. Our manifestos will reflect that diversity,” said SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary.
He added that committees of local experts, social activists, and party functionaries have been formed to ensure community participation in drafting. “We want people to feel this is their manifesto — not something written from Lucknow or Delhi,” he said.
A Strategic Shift After 2024
The decision also comes in the wake of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the SP performed better than in 2019, but not enough to challenge the BJP’s dominance in Uttar Pradesh. While the party secured several seats in its traditional strongholds of Mainpuri, Firozabad, and Etawah, it failed to make significant inroads in Awadh and western UP.
Analysts see the localised manifesto approach as Akhilesh Yadav’s attempt to correct that imbalance. “SP has realised that the old caste arithmetic alone won’t deliver results anymore. They need a development narrative that connects with voters beyond identity politics,” said Dr Ramesh Dixit, political analyst and retired professor of political science from Lucknow University.
He added, “This is also Akhilesh’s way of signaling maturity — he wants to be seen not just as Mulayam Singh’s son or a regional leader, but as a pragmatic chief minister-in-waiting who listens to people’s local concerns.”
Countering BJP’s Narrative
The BJP, which has maintained a formidable organisation across UP, is unlikely to take the SP’s move lightly. State BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi dismissed the exercise as a “gimmick,” saying, “People have seen the SP’s model of governance — goondaism, nepotism, and lawlessness. No amount of manifestos can erase that memory.”
However, within SP circles, there is confidence that localised engagement can break through what they call the BJP’s “macro-nationalism fatigue.” A senior SP leader from western UP said, “The BJP talks about Ram Mandir and national pride; we are talking about drains, electricity, crop losses, and education. People care about these issues.”
The party also plans to release a state-level vision document later, integrating the regional manifestos into a broader policy framework. Sources indicate that youth, women, and farmers will be central to SP’s promises, with special schemes for small entrepreneurs and artisans.
Grassroots Mobilisation and Symbolism
Parallel to the manifesto exercise, the SP has intensified its grassroots programs. The “Samajwadi Vichar Yatra” — a series of local interactions with farmers, teachers, and unemployed youth — is being revived in several districts. Party MLAs and district presidents have been instructed to visit every block to collect grievances and suggestions that will feed into the manifestos.
Interestingly, the move also carries symbolic undertones. By invoking regional diversity, Akhilesh is attempting to restore the SP’s image as a grassroots, inclusive force, distinct from the BJP’s centralised command structure. The effort is reminiscent of the 2012 campaign that propelled him to power as the youngest chief minister of UP, but this time the tone is more consultative and policy-driven than populist.
However, political observers believe the success of this strategy will depend on the party’s organisational discipline and ability to deliver consistent messaging across regions. “If executed well, local manifestos can help SP reclaim lost ground among non-Yadav OBCs, Muslims, and sections of urban voters. But it must also ensure credibility — people will not be swayed by empty promises anymore,” said Lucknow-based journalist and commentator.
October 23, 2025, 15:11 IST
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