Temple Politics in UP: Akhilesh Yadav’s Shivalaya in Etawah Challenges BJP’s Hindutva Vote Bank.

Akhilesh Yadav’s Strategic Move: Etawah Kedareshwar Mahadev Temple In Yadav Belt Fuels SP-BJP Battle Ahead of 2027 UP Polls.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | July 9, 2025:: In a subtle yet powerful political maneuver, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav is constructing the grand Kedareshwar Mahadev Temple (Shivalaya) in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. Spanning 11 acres, the temple is emerging as both a spiritual site and a calculated political statement, countering BJP’s allegations of SP’s alleged indifference to Hindu sentiments.

The consecration ceremony of the Etawah Kedareshwar Mahadev Temple was led by SP MP Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh, around the same time PM Modi inaugurated the Ram Temple in January 2024. The Etawah temple is set for inauguration on Shivratri, February 15, 2026 ahead of the 2027 UP Assembly polls.

The Temple’s Significance

– Design Inspiration: The temple’s design is inspired by the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand, with a 72-foot main structure built using the ancient “tribandhan” technique.
– Spiritual Axis: The temple is believed to be located on the Shiva Aksha Rekha, a sacred line connecting eight major Shiva shrines from Kedarnath to Rameshwaram.
– Construction Details: The temple’s construction began in 2021 and is expected to be completed before the 2027 Assembly polls, with an estimated cost of Rs 40-50 crore.

Politics Behind the Temple

– Counter-Narrative: The temple serves as a counter-narrative to BJP’s accusations that SP is anti-Hindu, with Akhilesh Yadav’s family members actively participating in the temple’s construction and ceremonies.
– PDA Coalition: Akhilesh Yadav is mobilizing his PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) coalition to challenge the BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections.
– BJP’s Response: The BJP claims that the temple construction won’t change public perception about the SP, citing their absence from the Ram Temple consecration event.

Impact on Local Economy

– Economic Boost: The temple is expected to bring an economic boost to the region, similar to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, by attracting more devotees and promoting local businesses. Thus it will garner  the  local Hindu Yadav’s vote as calculated by Akhilesh’s Samajwadi Party.
– Centre of Faith: Residents of Etawah are looking forward to the temple becoming a center of faith, with many already visiting the temple and participating in ceremonies.

Hindutva is at Political Center stage

Hindutva is at the political center stage, and no party can deny its implications. While the BJP claims to be the pioneer of Hindutva politics, other parties like the Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress are adopting soft Hindutva strategies by constructing huge temples and participating in Hindu religious festivals. Akhilesh Yadav’s move with the Kedareshwar Mahadev Temple and Mamata Banerjee’s  Digha Jagannath Temple are examples of this trend. Hindutva politics is no longer a monopoly of the BJP, as other parties are also exploring similar strategies to win the hearts of Hindu voters.
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Pic. Courtesy: Indian Express & Money Control.