The long-standing suspense and discord between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections came to a close as the two parties finalized a seat-sharing agreement. Under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), the Congress and its allies resolved to contest 17 seats, while the remaining 63 seats were allocated to the SP and other affiliated parties.
Avinash Pande, the Congress in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, credited Priyanka Gandhi for her pivotal role in facilitating the agreement, emphasizing her instrumental contribution to the negotiations. The allocation of seats was officially confirmed by Pande, who expressed his delight at the collaborative effort, stating, "I am delighted to tell you that it has been decided that in Uttar Pradesh the Congress will contest on 17 seats and the remaining 63 seats will have candidates of INDIA bloc - SP and other parties."
Echoing Pande's sentiments, SP state president Naresh Uttam Patel praised the collaborative efforts of Akhilesh Yadav and Mallikarjun Kharge in meeting the aspirations of the Indian populace, emphasizing the significance of their alliance.
The resolution of tensions between the SP and the Congress was marked by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's affirmation, "All is well that ends well." This reconciliation followed a period of acrimony, during which Yadav refrained from participating in Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra until a seat-sharing agreement was reached. With Rahul continuing his yatra in the state, Yadav's eventual participation alongside him seems likely.
The SP had earlier released three lists of candidates amidst stalled negotiations with the Congress. However, Yadav reiterated a spirit of conciliation, remarking, "All is well that ends well. Yes, there will be an alliance. There is no conflict. Everything will be out and clear soon."
Despite initial disagreements over seat allocation, the SP's offer to the Congress was eventually increased from 11 to 17 seats. With 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, the alliance aims to present a formidable electoral front against its opponents.
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The Congress, buoyed by retaining key constituencies like Rae Bareli and Amethi, aims to improve upon its 2019 performance, which saw a decline in both vote share and seat count. Conversely, the SP witnessed a reduction in its vote share, underscoring the significance of a united front to counter electoral challenges.
As the parties gear up for the upcoming elections, the finalized seat-sharing agreement marks a significant step towards consolidating their electoral strategy and maximizing their collective electoral prospects in Uttar Pradesh.
