UP Politics: Congress is fighting to save its political ground. SP to contest 175 seats, rules out pact on 100
According to sources, the Congress has divided the seats into four categories of A, B, C and D as part of its election strategy. The party has kept around 100 seats in the A category, on which it is not in favour of any compromise. Apart from this, 50 seats have been kept in B category and 35 seats in C category. The full details of the D category seats have not been revealed. According to the Congress strategy, there could be room for compromise in about half of the 50 category B seats. The final decision on the C category seats is likely to be taken on the basis of talks between the top leadership of the two parties. The party's focus is to retain its hold in areas where it sees political prospects.
Lucknow. The Congress, which is trying to regain its lost political ground in Uttar Pradesh, has strengthened its case against the Samajwadi Party for the 2027 assembly elections. By submitting a list of 175 seats to the SP leadership, the party has sent a clear signal that it does not want to be confined to the role of a mere ally in the alliance, but wants to re-establish its independent identity and organisational strength in the state politics. According to party sources, the Congress is preparing to contest at least 125 seats.
For the Congress, this demand for seats is not just an electoral arithmetic but an important question related to its political future. The party had won only two seats in the 2022 assembly elections. In such a situation, if the Congress has to strengthen its organization in the state, maintain trust in the workers and increase its share in the future politics, then it is considered important for it to contest enough seats.
The Congress is contesting 100 seats.
According to sources, the Congress has divided the seats into four categories of A, B, C and D as part of its election strategy. The party has kept around 100 seats in the A category, on which it is not in favour of any compromise. Apart from this, 50 seats have been kept in B category and 35 seats in C category. The full details of the D category seats have not been revealed.
According to the Congress strategy, there could be room for compromise in about half of the 50 category B seats. The final decision on the C category seats is likely to be taken on the basis of talks between the top leadership of the two parties. The party's focus is to retain its hold in areas where it sees political prospects.
Why is it important for the Congress to contest more seats?
The biggest challenge before the Congress is to strengthen its political relevance in Uttar Pradesh. For the party, which has been out of power in the state for a long time, the assembly elections are not just a medium to win seats but also an opportunity to revive the organisation, give an opportunity to the local leadership and build political trust among its traditional supporters.
If the Congress gets limited seats in the alliance, the electoral role for its local leaders and workers in many areas may be limited. On the contrary, contesting more seats could give the party an opportunity to test its organisation, bring in new leadership and strengthen its presence in areas where it wants to build an independent political base in the future.
However, the strategy of contesting more seats will be effective only if the Congress chooses candidates keeping in mind the strong base, local equations and the real possibility of winning.
Amethi, Rae Bareli and Saharanpur.
The Congress has put up candidates in Amethi, Rae Bareli and Saharanpur districts. The SP also has a political presence in these areas, so seat-sharing could be a key point of discussion between the two parties.
The Congress is trying to retain its share in areas where its organisation, local leadership or traditional political base can create prospects for it. At the same time, it will not be easy for the SP to leave seats in its strong areas. In such a situation, political influence, the performance of previous elections and the position of potential candidates can play an important role in alliance talks.
Akhilesh Yadav and Priyanka Gandhi.
Top leaders of the two parties are likely to play a key role in the next round of seat-sharing talks. According to party sources, Priyanka Gandhi and leaders close to her are working out the strategy for the seats. In the talks with Akhilesh Yadav, the Congress is expected to highlight its primary seats and electoral needs.
In 2022, the Congress contested the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections alone and the party won only two seats. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress won six seats in Uttar Pradesh. This performance has given the party a fresh look at its political prospects in the state.
Alliance is also necessary, your identity is also to be protected
The Congress faces a two-pronged challenge. While maintaining opposition unity against the BJP is important for it, strengthening its political identity and organisational base in alliance with the Samajwadi Party is also its priority.
A section within the SP is not in favour of giving more seats to the Congress. The rationale behind this is that the electoral position of the Congress has not been strong in many seats where it is in direct contest with the BJP. In such a situation, the distribution of seats is likely to be decided not only on the basis of political rivalry, but also keeping in mind the possibility of victory and the region-wise equations.
The big question is how many seats the Congress can agree to its demand of 175 seats. For him, this election will not only be an opportunity to increase the numbers in the assembly, but also a test to re-establish his place in the politics of Uttar Pradesh.
What's Your Reaction?
