Lucknow, India

In the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the results of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 took a twisted turn as in the battle between NDA and INDIA alliance, Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party emerged as the true winner. 

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After the debacle in the 2017 polls, Yadav gave his best-ever performance in this Lok Sabha elections as his party clinched victory in 37 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh and became the single-largest party in the most populous state of the country. 

The results were unexpected as the exit polls had also predicted big gains for the BJP in this state, which was reduced to 33 seats from 62 in 2019. The Samajwadi Party emerged as the third largest party after the BJP and Congress.

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The INDIA bloc gave a huge blow to the NDA in the state as the alliance won 43 seats in the state. But the Samajwadi Party had its biggest leap as its voter base multiplied seven times from its five-seat tally in 2019.

Akhilesh's PDA formula, the revival of 'UP ke ladkey' image struck a chord 

In the 2024 elections, Akhilesh Yadav reworked his long-tested formula and named it PDA - Pichada (backwards including Yadavs and non-Yadavs), Dalits and Alpsankhyaks (minorities, largely Muslims).

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Yadav bolstered the PDA formula amid the demand for caste census and also held a PDA-caste census bus yatra across the state.

As Akhilesh rode on top of the red bus, “Samajik Nyay Jaatiya Janganana Rasta (Caste census is the path to social justice)” remained boldly printed on all of its sides. 

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He also galvanised the campaign and agenda of the party. The party was reorganised and the ticket distribution plan was made keeping in mind PDA and caste census. The results later showed Yadav's caste card easily countered the BJP’s Hindutva and Ram Mandir.

Before the 2024 polls, Samajwadi Party's national and state executives were reorganised and most of the posts were given to non-Yadav OBCs, Dalits, Muslims, and Yadavs.

He applied the same formula to ticket distribution for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Among the 62 seats on which the Samajwadi Party contested, tickets were given to 27 non-Yadav OBCs, five Yadavs (all Yadav family members of the SP), 15 Dalits, four Muslims, and 11 upper caste leaders.

Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's unity further revived their “UP ke ladkey” image in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)