Who is Mahant Shubham Giri? Akhilesh Yadav Appoints Him as Uttarakhand SP State President

Dehradun: The Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttarakhand is gearing up to expand its influence by leveraging religion and youth engagement, with Mahant Shubham Giri, 35, appointed as the state party president by SP National President Akhilesh Yadav. The move reflects the party’s strategy to connect with younger voters while consolidating support among the religious community.

Akhilesh Yadav had dissolved all SP units across Uttarakhand a year ago, leaving the party without state leadership. In an effort to build a strong base in the region, he entrusted Mahant Shubham Giri with the responsibility of leading the party. The appointment signals a shift in the party’s approach, now seeking to engage with the religious electorate in Uttarakhand—historically a factor often overlooked by the SP.

Hailing from Bhupatwala in Haridwar, Mahant Shubham Giri comes from a religious background and the saint community, holding degrees in Sanskrit and Vedic studies. He enjoys recognition within the religious circles and is also actively involved in social initiatives. His appeal among the youth complements his religious credentials, making him a strategic choice for the SP in the state.

While the Uttarakhand Assembly elections are still some time away, the SP is attempting to explore new opportunities with its restructured team. Historically, the party has faced challenges in the state, including incidents like the Rampur Tiraha case in Muzaffarnagar and underwhelming electoral performances.

Since Uttarakhand became a state in 2000, the SP’s record has been modest. In the first assembly elections in 2002, the party fielded candidates in 63 seats but failed to win any. Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) secured seven seats, emerging as the third-largest party. The SP has struggled to achieve significant electoral success since, though it did secure a victory in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Haridwar when Rajendra Kumar Badi won. Despite this, the party has historically underperformed in assembly elections.

With Mahant Shubham Giri at the helm, the Samajwadi Party aims to consolidate both religious and youth support in Uttarakhand, hoping to strengthen its presence ahead of upcoming polls.