Political equations ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections have taken a sharp turn as doors have firmly closed on Asaduddin Owaisi's party, AIMIM, joining the alliance of Samajwadi Party and Congress. Owaisi had previously set an October 2 deadline for Akhilesh Yadav to take a definitive call on bringing his outfit into the fold, stating that if no agreement materialized by that date, his party would contest the state elections at full strength. With that deadline expiring without an agreement, Owaisi has sharply escalated his political offensive against the Samajwadi Party leadership.
Owaisi Cites Bihar Election Parallels and Issues Warning
Issuing a direct warning to Akhilesh Yadav, Asaduddin Owaisi stated that the Samajwadi Party leader must critically evaluate the past election outcomes in Bihar. He asserted that Akhilesh is repeating the exact strategic blunder that Tejashwi Yadav made in Bihar. Drawing a comparison to the epic Mahabharata, Owaisi remarked that just as the Pandavas had merely asked for five villages, he was seeking a similarly modest accommodation, adding that if Akhilesh remains unwilling to concede even that much, a fierce political battle in the elections is entirely inevitable.
Akhilesh Yadav Rejects New Tie-ups Ahead of Polls
Akhilesh Yadav dismissed Owaisi's rhetoric and urged that anyone genuinely committed to defeating BJP and safeguarding democracy should refrain from actions that end up aiding the ruling party. When directly questioned about whether Samajwadi Party would include AIMIM in its coalition, Akhilesh gave an unequivocal answer. He stated that there is simply no room for forging any new alliances, affirming that the exact partnership structure that existed during the Lok Sabha elections will continue unchanged for the state contest.
Rajya Sabha Calculations and an Olive Branch to Old Allies
Even as he firmly shut out Owaisi, Akhilesh Yadav extended an offer to leaders who had severed ties with his party over recent years. Pointing to the approaching Rajya Sabha elections, Akhilesh announced that anyone wishing to support his party and return to the fold at this juncture is welcome, adding that he is willing to set aside past bitterness to build common ground.
This outreach is clearly aimed at Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party leader Om Prakash Rajbhar. Both leaders previously partnered with Samajwadi Party before switching sides to align with Yogi Adityanath. Their legislative strength carries decisive weight in the Rajya Sabha voting, where Samajwadi Party needs to secure the support of at least 11 additional MLAs to successfully elect its third candidate. This crucial numerical requirement has driven Akhilesh's willingness to bury past grievances.
Sanjay Nishad Rebuffs Samajwadi Outreach Amid Seat Tussle With Congress
Sanjay Nishad promptly dismissed Akhilesh Yadav's overture, labeling the offer a deceptive political trap. He stated that political parties and legislators across Uttar Pradesh fully comprehend Akhilesh's maneuvers, asserting that no one would be swayed into joining hands with him.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party is preparing to field its own candidates on at least 350 assembly constituencies across the state. Under its current calculation, the party is offering around 53 to 55 seats to its coalition partner Congress. In contrast, Congress leaders are demanding to contest at least 150 seats across the state. Samajwadi Party, however, shows little inclination to yield additional ground, setting the stage for hard bargaining within the opposition coalition.
