The Congress party and the Samajwadi Party are set to initiate formal seat-sharing discussions for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections next week. Congress sources have indicated that the party aims to negotiate for 150 constituencies. While both parties have expressed their commitment to contesting the elections together, the allocation of the 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh has become a significant point of contention between them.
The negotiations are expected to begin in October, sources have said. A final arrangement, however, will require the approval of the two parties’ top leadership — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav.
A final arrangement, however, will require the approval of the two parties’ top leadership — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. The purpose, Congress leaders say, is to ensure that the party has identified potential candidates and organisational strengths before negotiations begin, rather than finding itself without candidates if an alliance is finalised. “Whether it is the SIR issue, election irregularities or other issues, the Samajwadi Party has raised public issues from the streets to the Assembly. Our leader, Akhilesh Yadav, will decide when the alliance is formed and how the seats are shared. For their part, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will take the decision. The Samajwadi Party is fully prepared for the Uttar Pradesh elections. We want to contest the elections together under the alliance and work towards forming the government. “The alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress will be decided by Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, but the absurd statements being made by Congress leaders are only aimed at creating pressure.
Unnecessary statements should be avoided so that the BJP does not get an opportunity. The party has divided Uttar Pradesh’s 403 Assembly constituencies into three categories — A, B and C — as part of its preparations for seat-sharing, according to Congress sources.
The negotiations are expected to begin in October, sources have said. Congress MP Imran Masood has said that the Congress will continue its campaign under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and has rejected suggestions that the party can simply be pushed aside in Uttar Pradesh. Even though the Samajwadi Party can contest on its own under Akhilesh Yadav’s leadership and win with a full majority, we want to contest the elections together under the alliance,” he said. How much strength Congress has in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is well known,” he said.
