- Akhilesh Yadav's 'PDA Yatra' in Raebareli sparks alliance tension.
- Congress leaders respond to SP's assertion of "big brother" role.
- Seat-sharing talks crucial for INDIA Bloc ahead of UP elections.
UP Assembly Election: Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly election, the leaders of Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) have taken jibes at each other. While both the parties are likely to contest the coming election as an ally, tension has peaked ahead of the seat-sharing talks. The row escalated after SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav kick-started his 'PDA Yatra' from Raebareli, a stronghold of Congress and represented by senior leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha.
Row Over Akhilesh's Yatra
When it came to launching his campaign for a comeback after a decade, Yadav's priority was not any stronghold of the Samajwadi Party or rival BJP. Instead, the former chief minister flexed his muscle in Raebareli, the backyard of Congress, Samajwadi's key ally.
The message from Akhilesh was loud and clear- SP will play the role of "big brother" in Uttar Pradesh, and even in Raebareli. Earlier in the 2022 assembly polls, despite not contesting with Congress, the Samajwadi Party managed to win four seats in the Gandhi family stronghold, showing a possible shift.
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Banter Between Congress and SP Leaders
While reacting to Akhilesh's visit, Congress state chief Ajay Rai stated that anyone can visit any seat, adding that even the Congress leaders can visit Kannauj and Etawah, strongholds of the Samajwadis. Earlier, SP MP Iqra Hasan ignited a row by claiming that Congress will not be able to achieve anything significant on its own.
In response, Congress MP Imran Masood stated that even Hasan could not win without Congress' support, adding that mutual understanding is required. The Congress leader further stated that the seat-sharing talks will be conducted under the leadership of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi.
Can INDIA Bloc Repeat Performance Of 2024?
The alliance outplayed its rival BJP by winning 43 of the total 70 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, even winning the Faizabad seat, where Ram Mandir was built. The seat-sharing talks between Congress and SP is likely to begin in the coming weeks. The assembly election in Uttar Pradesh is set to be conducted in the early months of 2027.