
by Ajay Kumar
Azamgarh, a district in Uttar Pradesh considered a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party (SP), was once again in the headlines on July 3, 2025. Akhilesh Yadav, the national president of SP and former Chief Minister, inaugurated his new residence and party office, which he named the PDA Bhawan. Built on 72 bighas of land in Anwarganj, the complex includes Akhilesh’s private residence, the party office, and a large hall for supporters. However, amid this grand event, a question drew widespread attention why did Akhilesh try to invite Brahmin scholars from Kashi for the housewarming ceremony, but not invite any scholar from the PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) community? This question became a topic of discussion not just in political circles, but also on social media and among the local public. When it comes to the anger of the Brahmin community, the Brahmin Sabha expelled the Brahmins who performed the housewarming rituals at the SP office and residence from their community. This displeasure of the Brahmins could cost SP dearly in the 2027 elections, as Brahmins constitute about 10 percent of UP’s population.
The new SP office in Azamgarh has been constructed with an eye on the 2027 Assembly elections. By naming it the PDA Bhawan, Akhilesh made his strategy clear. PDA that is, Backward, Dalit, and Minority has been the foundation of SP’s political strategy, which helped the party win 37 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and stall the BJP’s victory march in Uttar Pradesh. During the inauguration ceremony, Akhilesh said, “The unity of PDA will bring us to power in 2027.” This building is seen not only as an office but also as a training center where youth will be introduced to socialist ideology.
However, the shine of the event dimmed when it emerged that Akhilesh had expressed a desire to invite Brahmin scholars from Kashi for the housewarming rituals, but they did not show up. According to sources, the priests from Kashi refused to conduct the rituals due to a recent controversy in Etawah, referred to as the ‘Etawah Kathavachak Scandal’. In this incident, some of Akhilesh’s remarks were seen as offensive to the Brahmin community, particularly his alleged criticism of donation traditions and ritual practices.
Eventually, local priests were called for the ceremony, and according to some sources, priest Chandan Kushwaha performed the rituals. But the question remains why didn’t Akhilesh choose any scholar from the PDA community for such an important occasion marking the inauguration of the PDA Bhawan? This question sparked discussion not only among his opponents but also among his supporters. On social media, some users pointed out contradictions in Akhilesh’s strategy. One user wrote, “You named the building after PDA, but still want Brahmins to perform the rituals? Doesn’t PDA have any scholars?” Another user sarcastically asked, “Couldn’t Akhilesh ji find a single PDA priest? The difference between words and actions is obvious.” These comments raised doubts about SP’s PDA formula, which Akhilesh has adopted in recent years to broaden the party’s image beyond just Yadav-Muslim support.
The attempt to invite Brahmin scholars to Azamgarh for the ceremony is also being seen as part of this broader strategy. Akhilesh may have wanted to send a message that his party is inclusive of all communities. But the absence of Kashi’s priests and the use of local priests weakened that message. Some analysts believe that this step was an effort to strengthen his PDA strategy but ended up backfiring.
Another aspect that brought this event into greater focus was the protest by members of the Brahmin Mahasabha and Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh. Some protesters waved black flags at Akhilesh and accused him of tarnishing the image of the Brahmin community. In addition, a security lapse also made headlines when a youth breached the barricades and reached close to the stage. He was immediately taken into custody by the police, but the incident raised concerns over Akhilesh’s security arrangements.
Despite these controversies, the inauguration of the PDA Bhawan remains a significant step for the Samajwadi Party. This building is not just Akhilesh’s second home but is set to become the political nerve center of SP’s strategy in Purvanchal (Eastern UP). In his speech, Akhilesh sharply criticized the BJP and claimed credit for the Purvanchal Expressway. He stated, “It takes the same time to travel from Lucknow to Azamgarh as it does to Saifai thanks to the expressway built during our government.”
Ultimately, the inauguration and housewarming of the PDA Bhawan in Azamgarh could have been a political masterstroke, but the absence of Brahmin scholars and the decision not to involve PDA community scholars has brought it under scrutiny. On one hand, Akhilesh wants to strengthen his core voter base, while on the other, he is trying to reach out to upper-caste voters as well. How effective this strategy will be in the 2027 elections only time will tell.