SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Confirms Alliance Despite Yatra Absence

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has confirmed an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He assured reporters that details of the alliance would be disclosed soon, emphasizing that there is no conflict between the two parties.

Earlier this week, Yadav had indicated that his participation in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh would depend on finalizing seat-sharing arrangements.

“Everything will be out and clear soon. Yes, there will be an alliance, and there is no conflict,” Yadav stated on Wednesday.

The Samajwadi Party and Congress are partners in the INDIA bloc. The success of the ongoing seat-sharing discussions is pivotal, especially in the wake of similar talks breaking down with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has opted to contest alone in her state.

Sources indicate that the Congress is likely to be allocated 17 seats in the prospective alliance, with any issues over three seats between the two parties resolved.

Akhilesh Yadav had previously linked his participation in the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to a resolution on seat sharing, expressing readiness to join once the seats for the Lok Sabha elections are finalized.

“Talks are ongoing, and lists have come from both sides. The Samajwadi Party will join Congress’s Nyaya Yatra as soon as seats are distributed and decided,” Yadav told reporters earlier this week.

The SP Chief is now expected to join the yatra on February 24-25 when it arrives in Moradabad in Western Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing the significance of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Yadav remarked, “The 2024 elections are crucial. It is an election to protect the Constitution, the country’s future, the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, and fraternity.”

Previously, Yadav had accepted an invitation from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to join the Yatra, stating he would participate in either Amethi or Rae Bareli.

However, with no headway made in the seat-sharing discussions between the two parties, the SP Chief refrained from joining the ongoing Yatra as it made its way through Uttar Pradesh.