There is still time for Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2027, but a meeting in Delhi has suddenly increased the temperature of the politics of the state. The closed-door meeting between Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is being considered as the most important election meeting of the opposition. There is talk in the political circles that this meeting was not just formal, but there was serious brainstorming on many issues ranging from seat sharing to election strategy, caste equation and the roadmap to oust Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power. However, both the parties have not given any official information on what was decided in the meeting.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the alliance of SP and Congress had given a tough challenge to BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party returned as the largest opposition force in the state by winning 37 seats, while Congress strengthened its position after years by winning 6 seats. The alliance got a total of 43 seats, which changed the entire equation of UP politics. Now efforts have started to implement the same model in the assembly elections.
Where is the problem on seat sharing?
According to political sources, Congress wants its role in the assembly elections to be bigger than before. The party is expressing its desire to contest elections on about 80 to 100 seats. At the same time, Samajwadi Party was initially not in favor of giving more than 50 to 60 seats to Congress on the basis of its strong organization and mass base. Now there is discussion that both the parties can move forward on some agreed formula between 60 to 70 seats. However, this number has not been officially confirmed and negotiations are still believed to be ongoing.
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What will be the biggest challenge before BJP?
If SP and Congress resolve the seat dispute in time and enter the election field unitedly, then the contest may be tough for BJP on many seats. The opposition’s strategy may focus on preventing the spillover of votes against BJP. However, BJP is also working on the strategy of creating backward classes, non-Yadav OBCs, non-Jatav Dalits, women, beneficiary class and social equations with its allies. Therefore, the electoral picture will be decided not only by the alliance, but also by the candidates, local issues and campaign.
SP will try to keep its traditional Yadav-Muslim base strong. Congress will try to increase its hold among the Scheduled Castes, upper castes, urban voters and youth. If both the parties create effective coordination, they will try to bring together many social groups. On the other hand, BJP will work on the strategy to maintain its hold among non-Yadav OBC, non-Jatav Dalit and beneficiary class.
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What will be the joint election plan?
According to sources, not only seats were discussed in the meeting, but issues like joint election campaign, joint rallies, role of star campaigners, candidate selection, booth management and creating a common narrative against BJP were also discussed. Both the parties can also outline several joint programs before the assembly elections.
What signals did the Delhi meeting give? Political analysts believe that this meeting in Delhi gives an important signal towards strengthening the opposition unity. However, the final picture will be clear only after the distribution of seats and the formal announcement of both the parties. At present, it is certain that this meeting held in Delhi before the election battle of 2027 has definitely created a new stir in the politics of Uttar Pradesh. Now everyone’s eyes are on when and with what formula SP and Congress will officially announce the alliance.
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