SP-RLD dispute exposes caste and alliance tensions in western U.P.

A war of words between Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary has exposed tensions over caste identity, loyalty and alliances in western Uttar Pradesh, The Hindu reported. The dispute turned on Mr. Yadav’s remark that the SP had turned a “chavanni”, or obsolete 25-paise coin, into a rupee, only for it to leave.

The comment referred to Mr. Chaudhary’s earlier statement that he was not a chavanni who would “flip”. Mr.

Chaudhary later joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance before the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Mr. Chaudhary defended that change by pointing to the Bharat Ratna awarded to his grandfather, former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.

The RLD chief has also described the move as a strategic political manoeuvre rather than a betrayal. The dispute has now become entangled with competing appeals to Jat, Muslim and Gurjar voters. The SP argues that Mr.

Chaudhary owes his Rajya Sabha position to the party’s support and should have resigned when the RLD joined the NDA. The report says the alliance broke down partly over seat-sharing: the BJP left two Lok Sabha seats for the RLD, while the SP was prepared to offer five more. The conflict matters because the RLD has two Muslim MLAs among its nine legislators in the Jat-dominated belt.

The SP is seeking those legislators and their community support, while also reaching out to Gurjars. The dispute may make it harder for Mr. Chaudhary to sustain his “bhaichara”, or cross-community, message.

The report says the BJP could benefit if the friction deepens polarisation in western Uttar Pradesh. RLD has also included farmer leader Yudhvir Singh as a special invitee to its Parliamentary Board, suggesting that the party is seeking to broaden its political position while remaining aligned with the NDA.