Akhilesh Yadav Announces Golden Statues of Historical Figures Ahead of 2027 UP Elections; BJP Calls it a Political Stunt.
UP Politics: While the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are still some time away, political maneuvering has already intensified. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav's recent announcements have injected significant heat into the state's political landscape. His statement regarding "golden statues" has particularly sparked widespread discussion.
- Three Major Announcements in Ten Days: Over the past ten days, Akhilesh Yadav has announced plans to erect golden statues of three different historical figures.
- First, he announced a museum and a golden throne statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Agra.
- Following this, he proposed a golden statue of Maharaja Suheldev on the banks of the Gomti River in Lucknow. Most recently, he pledged to erect a golden statue of Emperor Harshavardhana in Kannauj.
The Rationale Behind the Strategy?
Political analysts believe Akhilesh Yadav is attempting to counter the BJP's strategy based on caste equations. In recent years, the BJP has sought to garner support from backward and Dalit communities by highlighting their heroes. The Yogi Adityanath government recently unveiled a bronze statue of Maharaja Suheldev in Bahraich as part of this effort.
Akhilesh Yadav views this as a response to the BJP's political maneuvering. By promising golden statues, he aims to capture public attention and strengthen his hold among backward castes.
Political Tug-of-War Over Rajbhar Vote Bank
A tug-of-war between the BJP and SP continues regarding the Rajbhar community in Uttar Pradesh. The SP's alliance with Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) in the 2022 Assembly elections yielded some gains. The BJP is now keen to avoid repeating this. The Rajbhar voters significantly influence approximately 18 districts and 30 Assembly seats in Purvanchal. The SP aims to prevent the fragmentation of these votes by promising a golden statue to honor Maharaja Suheldev.
Shivaji Statue to Increase Influence in Braj Region?
The BJP has launched several initiatives in the Agra and Braj regions in the name of Shivaji Maharaj. By proposing a grand museum and a golden throne statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Agra, Akhilesh Yadav has directly challenged the BJP on its own turf. This move is seen as an attempt to attract Thakur and Maratha voters.
Keshav Prasad Maurya's Counterattack
Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya responded sharply to Akhilesh Yadav's announcements. He wrote on social media, “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar in 2025 in a historic way, Akhilesh Yadav was asleep. Now, eyeing the 2027 elections, he is playing the tune of 'golden statues'. ” He also accused Akhilesh Yadav of failing to honor Dalit and backward caste leaders during his tenure as Chief Minister (2012-2017). He claimed that these slogans are now being used to mislead the public as power seems a distant dream.
