In a strategic move ahead of the Uttar Pradesh bypolls, Congress has formally requested five out of the ten available Assembly seats from its ally, the Samajwadi Party (SP). According to sources involved in the negotiations, discussions are still underway, and no final agreement has been reached between the two parties.
Both Congress and the Samajwadi Party are part of the I.N.D.I.A. alliance in Uttar Pradesh, having previously contested the Lok Sabha elections together. Despite the collaborative spirit, the negotiations have encountered some friction, with SP showing reluctance to concede the requested number of seats. Sources indicate that while Congress is holding firm on its demand for five seats, the Samajwadi Party may be willing to compromise on four.
The upcoming by-elections will cover ten Assembly seats, including key regions such as Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Karhal (Mainpuri), and Ghaziabad. The Samajwadi Party, buoyed by its success in the recent Lok Sabha elections, is optimistic about its prospects in these bypolls.
Earlier today, the Samajwadi Party unveiled its first candidate list for the by-elections. Among the nominees are Tej Pratap Yadav for Sisamau, Naseem Solanki for Phulpur, Mustafa Siddiqui for Milkypur, Ajit Prasad for Katehari, Shobhawati Verma for Majhawan, and Dr. Jyoti Bind for Bind. Notably, Tej Pratap Yadav hails from the influential Yadav family, being the grandson of Mulayam Singh’s elder brother and a former MP from Mainpuri. Naseem Solanki, the wife of former SP MLA Irfan Solanki, is positioned as a contender in Phulpur. Other candidates, such as Ajit Prasad and Shobhavati Verma, also come from politically connected families.
The announcement of candidates by the Samajwadi Party has reportedly caused some discontent within Congress, with allegations that the SP failed to consult its ally before releasing the list. The growing tension raises questions about the stability of the alliance and whether Congress will accept the SP’s counteroffer or consider breaking away from the partnership altogether.
As both parties navigate these negotiations, the stakes are high in the lead-up to the bypolls, and the decisions made in the coming days could significantly impact their electoral prospects in Uttar Pradesh.
