Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh have initiated strategic preparations to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party from securing a third consecutive victory in the state assembly elections. However, tensions have surfaced between the Samajwadi Party and Congress regarding ticket distribution and constituency quotas well before the polling begins. While Congress leaders are pressing for an immediate finalization of seat-sharing arrangements, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav made a decisive political appearance in Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary constituency of Raebareli, laying down his own formula for dividing seats between the two allies.
Winnability Set as Primary Criterion for Constituencies
Akhilesh Yadav clarified his position by stating that while an alliance with Congress remains on track for the election, the actual allocation of seats will strictly depend on candidate winnability. In his assessment, whichever party or nominee possesses the strongest potential to win a particular constituency should hold the rightful claim to that seat. On Thursday, Akhilesh Yadav took out a PDA Rath Yatra across Raebareli, generating significant political momentum. The display of strength in an area considered a stronghold of Rahul Gandhi did not sit well with local Congress leadership. Reacting to the development, Ajay Rai remarked that the entire nation is currently looking toward Rahul Gandhi.
Congress Plans Campaigns Across Samajwadi Bastions
Friction between the two coalition partners has intensified over seat distribution and public campaigning. The Congress leadership has targeted Akhilesh Yadav over his PDA yatra, responding with sharp critical remarks. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai took aim at the statewide tour, indicating that his party would not hold back from organizing independent activities. Ajay Rai announced that Congress will also travel to campaign actively within traditional Samajwadi Party bastions, specifically naming Kannauj, Saifai, and Etawah as targeted locations for upcoming party outreach.
Diverging Demands and the 2017 Formula Dilemma
The central stumbling block in the alliance revolves around the total share of assembly constituencies each side expects to contest. Congress is seeking a substantial footprint within the coalition, aiming to replicate the seat-sharing pattern seen during the 2017 assembly election, under which it hopes to secure more than 150 seats. Conversely, the Samajwadi Party is preparing to field its own candidates across a vast majority of the state's constituencies. While both partners achieved an impressive joint performance during the 2024 general election, the parliamentary success significantly elevated Akhilesh Yadav's expectations. He anticipates replicating similar election outcomes in the assembly polls and is actively energizing his ground workers by invoking the momentum gained from the 2024 results.
