In a significant turn of events following the Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has emerged as the third-largest national party, buoyed by its impressive win of parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh. Led by Akhilesh Yadav, the SP is now intensifying its efforts to expand its influence into other states. However, these ambitions are being tested by complex negotiations with their INDIA alliance partner, Congress, over the upcoming Assembly bypolls in Uttar Pradesh.
The need to address the Assembly bypolls arises from the fact that several SP MLAs have transitioned to Lok Sabha MPs, creating vacancies in 10 constituencies. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the SP secured five of these seats, while the BJP won three and the remaining two went to BJP allies. The election dates for these bypolls have yet to be announced.
Congress views the bypolls as a pivotal opportunity to regain ground in Uttar Pradesh, a state where its influence had waned until the recent Lok Sabha elections. The party is keen to negotiate an equitable distribution of these constituencies. According to Indian Express sources, Congress is demanding an equal share of the bypoll seats but is currently only being offered Khair and Ghaziabad by the SP. The BJP won both these constituencies in 2022, with Anoop Pradhan and Atul Garg as their respective winners.
Additionally, Congress is eyeing other seats previously won by the NDA in 2022, such as Phulpur, Manjhwan, and Meerapur. The SP, however, believes it has a stronger chance in Phulpur and is hesitant to relinquish it. The Congress, on the other hand, is confident in its ability to reconnect with the electorate in regions like Phulpur, historically represented by prominent figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit.
Ajay Rai, the state Congress president, stated, “We have sent our recommendation to contest five seats, which are with the BJP and its allies. The rest is up to the party leadership to decide.” He further emphasized the evolving political landscape in Uttar Pradesh, pointing out that Congress has regained some of the crucial Dalit, OBC, and minority votes.
Congress has already dispatched coordinators to assess the situation in all ten constituencies to better understand the local dynamics. The party argues that its demand for the seats previously held by BJP and its allies is justified given the changed electoral context.
On the other hand, the SP’s strategy includes negotiating for a stronger position in Haryana, where Assembly elections are slated for October 5. Sources within the SP suggest that the party’s offer of seats in Uttar Pradesh to Congress is contingent upon securing a more substantial share in Haryana and other states.
As the negotiations unfold, the strategic maneuvers of both parties will likely shape the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, reflecting the complex interplay of alliances and aspirations within India’s multifaceted electoral politics.
