Image Credits - NDTV
On Wednesday, Akhilesh Yadav suggested that discussions regarding seat-sharing with the Congress were progressing positively, affirming the resilience of the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh. Allegedly, any uncertainties surrounding the seat-sharing negotiations were cleared following a phone conversation between Akhilesh and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra earlier in the day.
It is anticipated that the Congress will vie for 7 seats in the state. Both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party are scheduled to hold a joint press conference in Lucknow today to formally announce the seat-sharing agreement.
Akhilesh Yadav’s final offer to the Congress stood at 17 seats, which he emphasized as a firm stance. He hinted that he would refrain from joining Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the state until the Congress accepted this offer. Initially, Akhilesh had proposed 11 seats, which was later raised to 15 before settling at the final count of 17 seats.
On Wednesday, Akhilesh Yadav expressed assurance that there is no conflict and that clarity would soon prevail. He remarked, “All is well that ends well.” Furthermore, Akhilesh stated that the Samajwadi Party would aim to contest from the maximum number of seats possible, emphasizing, “as many as we can contest.”
Out of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 Lok Sabha constituencies, the Samajwadi Party has announced candidates for 31 seats thus far. In the latest list, Akhilesh’s uncle Shivpal Yadav has been nominated to contest from the Budaun parliamentary constituency. Other notable candidates include Surendra Singh Patel from Varanasi, Iqra Hasan from Kairana, Praveen Singh Aron from Bareilly, and Ajendra Singh Rajput from Hamirpur. Additionally, in its initial list, the SP had nominated Dharmendra Yadav, the son of party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger brother Abhay Ram Yadav, to contest from Budaun.
Priyanka Gandhi’s involvement in the seat-sharing negotiations comes amidst speculation about her potential Lok Sabha debut from her mother Sonia Gandhi’s former constituency, Raebareli.
Priyanka Gandhi is expected to join Rahul Gandhi’s yatra from Moradabad on February 24. Initially, when the yatra entered the state, Priyanka cited hospitalization as the reason for her absence. Additionally, Akhilesh Yadav has indicated that he would participate in the yatra only after the Congress finalizes the seat-sharing agreement.