Top News

Lucknow:The picture of the alliance between Samajwadi Party and Congress for the 2027 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh is gradually becoming clear, but the issue of seat sharing still remains a big challenge for both the parties. Like the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, both the parties are preparing to contest the elections together. However, it does not seem easy to reach a consensus regarding the number of assembly seats and especially Rae Bareli-Amethi.

According to sources, during the Rae Bareli tour, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi discussed seat sharing with SP leaders. Both the parties have prepared the calculation of seats at their respective levels. SP has proposed 86 assembly seats to Congress, while Congress wants a share of between 105 to 115 seats. In such a situation, there is a difference of about 20 to 30 seats between the two.

SP made a plan of 86 seats while Congress made a plan of 105 to 115 seats.

The formula for seats prepared by SP for Congress has been based on the results of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congress had won six Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. SP is proposing to give two seats each to Congress out of the assembly seats falling under these six parliamentary constituencies. Apart from this, there is a plan to give one seat each to Congress from the remaining 74 assembly constituencies of the state. In this way, a formula of total 86 assembly seats has been prepared for Congress by including 12 seats from six Lok Sabha constituencies and 74 seats from the remaining 74 constituencies.

There are a total of 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh. Whereas Congress aims to contest elections on more than 100 seats. The party has staked its claim between 105 to 115 seats. Many big districts of the state and their important assembly seats are included in the Congress list. This difference is prolonging the talks between the two parties.

The biggest problem stuck in Rae Bareli and Amethi

The biggest hurdle in seat sharing talks is being said to be about Rae Bareli and Amethi. Both the districts have been associated with the politics of Congress and Gandhi family for a long time. Congress considers these areas as its areas of influence and wants to contest elections on more seats here.

On the other hand, SP is not in favor of giving some important seats of Rae Bareli and Amethi to Congress. Apart from Unchahar and Harchandpur seats of Rae Bareli, SP wants to keep Gauriganj and Amethi assembly seats of Amethi district in its share. In the 2022 assembly elections, SP had won four seats in Rae Bareli district, Unchahar, Harchandpur, Bachhrawan and Sareni. Whereas in Amethi district, the party had captured Gauriganj and Amethi seats. Tiloi and Jagdishpur seats went to BJP's account.

SP wants to settle scores with rebel MLAs

SP's stand regarding some seats of Rae Bareli and Amethi is not limited to the old election performance only. The party is also keeping in mind its political equation on these seats. Some MLAs who won on SP ticket later rebelled and moved closer to BJP.

The name of former SP MLA Manoj Pandey from Unchahar seat of Rae Bareli is being considered important in this entire equation. SP wants to give him a strong challenge again and that is why the party is in no mood to leave this seat for Congress. Even in Harchandpur seat, SP considers its local base strong. Here the equation of Lodh community is considered important for the party. Rahul Lodhi was elected SP MLA from this seat. In such a situation, SP is preparing to field its candidates on both the seats.

SP's stand on Gauriganj seat of Amethi is also being made clear. The party wants to again challenge rebel MLA Rakesh Pratap Singh from here. Gayatri Prajapati's family has political influence on Amethi seat. SP wants to maintain this influence in its favor.

trying to find a middle path

Talks are still going on between the two parties regarding the number of seats. According to sources, in the final agreement, SP may increase some seats from its initial proposal. At present, the party is said to be thinking of giving around 80 to 86 seats to Congress.

Whereas Congress is claiming 105 to 115 seats. If both the parties step back a little from their respective stances then a middle path can be found. In such a situation, the number of seats is expected to be fixed around 90 to 95. However, the final decision will be taken only after talks and consent of both the parties. Most of the attention is on the seats of Rae Bareli and Amethi.