Akhilesh Yadav Proposes 15 Uttar Pradesh Constituencies to Congress, With a Yatra Requirement
Last year, various opposition parties united to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, negotiations over seat-sharing between the Congress and its alliance partners have stalled. It’s uncertain whether the INDA bloc will contest the 2024 polls together. In a setback for the Congress, the Samajwadi Party has set a demanding condition for their support in Uttar Pradesh. Reports suggest that the Samajwadi Party is proposing that the Congress contest only 15 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 elections, the Congress won 52 seats across India, with minimal success in the northeast or the Hindi belt. In Uttar Pradesh, they secured only one seat, Raebareli, after Rahul Gandhi lost in Amethi to Smriti Irani. Unlike in 2019 when the Samajwadi Party refrained from contesting in Amethi and Rae Bareli as a gesture of respect toward the Congress, this time they are taking a firm stance by offering only 15 seats to the Congress. They insist that the Congress cannot contest on any other seats if the alliance is to stand. The onus is now on the Congress to respond to this proposal.
Akhilesh Yadav’s potential participation in the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi, hinges on the acceptance of an offer by the Congress party. Yadav stated that discussions and negotiations have taken place, and once seat-sharing arrangements are finalized, the Samajwadi Party will likely join the yatra. The yatra, which has been ongoing for 37 days, serves as a focal point for opposition unity against the BJP government. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are slated to address a public gathering in Babuganj. Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary overseeing Communications, has expressed hope regarding Akhilesh Yadav’s potential involvement in the yatra.
The Congress party faced rejections from Mamata Banerjee in Bengal and AAP’s Bhagwant Mann in Punjab regarding seat sharing. Additionally, Nitish Kumar’s defection to form a government with BJP in Bihar dealt another blow to the Opposition. In light of these challenges, it is crucial for Congress to maintain its alliance with the Samajwadi Party. Sources suggest that the Samajwadi Party might consider breaking away from the broader coalition if the Congress demands more than the 15 seats initially offered.
