The Free Press Journal

BLOC BRISTLES: PDM Nyay Morcha may be a spoiler

The Apna Dal (K), led by Pallavi Patel, represents a factional split within the Apna Dal, founded by Sonelal Patel. While Anupriya’s faction has been more dominant historical­ly, winning LS seats in alliance with the BJP, Pallavi faction’s entry into the electoral fray adds a new dynamic to the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh

The political landscape in Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a significan­t churn with the emergence of the PDM (Pichda, Dalit, Muslim) Nyay Morcha, a new alliance jointly formed by Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) Pallavi Patel and Asaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

The developmen­t is poised to add to the challenges for the PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankhya­k) led by the Samajwadi Party within the Opposition bloc, INDIA, comprising the Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

The loss of the Rashtriya Lok Dal to the NDA has already weakened the INDIA. Now, the emergence of the PDM front, backed by small parties, has the potential to disrupt the electoral equations. The PDM Nyay Morcha,

marking AIMIM’s debut in Uttar Pradesh’s Lok Sabha election, is supported by Apna Dal (K), which was formerly allied with the SP, along with the Rashtriya Uday Party led by Baburam Pal and the Pragatishe­el Manav Samaj Party led by Prem Chand Bind.

Named the ‘PDM Nyay Morcha’, the alliance claims to represent the interests of the marginalis­ed communitie­s — ‘Pichhde, Dalit and Muslims’ — directly challengin­g the SP’s PDA pitch. The move could impact the SP’s traditiona­l Muslim-Yadav vote bank.

Pallavi Patel of Apna Dal (K) has launched criticism against the SP, accusing it of failing to deliver on its promises to the backwards and Muslims. She highlights the disillusio­nment among Muslims, alleging the SP only seeks their votes without providing effective leadership.

While the electoral track record of AIMIM and Apna Dal (K) in UP has been modest, the recent urban local body elections showed improvemen­t for AIMIM, indicating a gradual rise in its influence. However, the AIMIM remains untested in the LS poll in UP, having contested only one seat in north India in 2019.