Congress-SP Seat-Sharing Dispute Resurfaces Ahead of UP Elections

NEW DELHI: A fresh dispute over seat distribution has emerged between Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, as the newly appointed Congress in-charge for the state, Rajendra Pal Gautam, demanded parity and respect from the alliance partner for the upcoming state elections. This issue has historically strained the alliance and now risks diverting attention from the common goal of challenging the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Congress has prioritised strengthening its organisational presence across Uttar Pradesh, which effectively means seeking a larger share of seats in the electoral pact. This approach contrasts with the sense of urgency expressed by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who has called for expediting preparations for the elections scheduled for February 2027.

During a recent meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc, Akhilesh Yadav reportedly urged Congress to show a 'big heart' towards regional parties, emphasising the need for a reasonable seat-sharing arrangement. He referenced the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Congress contested 17 seats, suggesting that a smaller allocation hindered the alliance's overall performance. Sources indicate that Akhilesh even named specific constituencies that the alliance lost but could have won with a different seat distribution.

The SP leader also appealed to Congress to trust the judgment of regional parties in their respective states, according to a senior INDIA bloc member. He stressed the importance of finalising the tie-up early to kickstart the campaign, noting that the opposition's challenge has grown after the defeat of like-minded parties in Bihar and West Bengal.

However, Congress's approach has caused unease among some alliance partners. Repeated statements from Congress functionaries demanding a significant share of seats from SP have led to a back-and-forth between local leaders of both parties. This has exacerbated mistrust, exemplified by an incident in May when Gautam and Congress MP Tanuj Punia made an unscheduled visit to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's residence, seeking a meeting. Though Mayawati did not meet them, many interpreted the move as Congress attempting to pressure SP. Congress later clarified that the visit was not politically motivated.

The seat-sharing impasse underscores a fundamental challenge within the opposition alliance: balancing the aspirations of national and regional parties while presenting a united front against the BJP. With Uttar Pradesh being a crucial state in national politics, resolving this issue will be key to the alliance's prospects in the upcoming elections.

As both parties continue negotiations, the focus remains on whether they can overcome their differences and forge a cohesive strategy to challenge the incumbent government.