Samajwadis offer one seat to Congress for UP bypoll

A Samajwadi Party source claims Congress lacks voter strength in Uttar Pradesh and doesn’t deserve any seats, but Akhilesh Yadav is offering one as a gesture. If Congress declines, SP will contest all seats independently.

New Delhi: Following their strong performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where the SP-Congress alliance won 43 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, optimism was high. However, cracks have begun to emerge in the alliance ahead of the upcoming by-elections for 10 assembly seats. Congress is demanding three seats, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) is only offering one—the Ghaziabad seat.
A source within SP revealed that Congress lacks a significant voter base in UP, claiming the party doesn’t deserve any seats but is being offered one as an act of mercy by Akhilesh Yadav. If Congress refuses, SP is prepared to contest all the seats independently.
The SP has already announced candidates for six of the 10 assembly seats, including Phulpur and Majhwan—two seats Congress has requested. The six candidates include Tej Pratap Yadav from Karhal and Mustafa Siddiqui from Phulpur. SP has indicated it may concede another seat but will not offer more than two to Congress.
Meanwhile, Congress insists on contesting Meerapur, Phulpur, and Majhwan. According to Puneet Pathak, Congress’s UP spokesperson, the party has already begun preparations for the elections and is focusing on five seats. The final decision will be made by Congress’s central leadership.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson I.P. Singh stated that the party is focused on development issues for the by-elections, including poor road conditions and a lack of medical facilities, and is confident that the people will support SP.
A senior BJP leader pointed out that the alliance between SP and Congress appears strained, especially after the SP’s unilateral candidate announcements. The BJP, energized by its recent victories, believes it will win all seats in the by-elections.
A political analyst explained that SP and Congress are competing for Muslim and Dalit voters, particularly in seats like Meerapur and Majhwan. The outcome of these by-elections could shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Out of the 10 seats, five were vacated by SP MLAs, including Milkipur and Sisamau, while one was held by the RLD. The remaining four seats, including Ghaziabad and Khair, were vacated by the BJP and Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (NISHAD) Party MLAs elected to the Lok Sabha.