As the ongoing alliance talks between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh have been confirmed by Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party, sources have provided insights into how both parties reached an agreement.
According to sources, the conversation was initiated by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a leader of the Congress, who spoke to Akhilesh Yadav after discussing the matter with Rahul Gandhi.
The talks progressed when the Congress decided to give up their demand for the Moradabad seat and instead requested Sitapur, Shravasti, and Varanasi.
When questioned about his absence from Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Amethi and Rae Bareli, Akhilesh Yadav stated, “All is well that ends well…there is no dispute…there will be an alliance.”
Earlier, he had mentioned that he would join Rahul Gandhi’s yatra only after the seat sharing was finalized.
The Congress is expected to contest in several seats including Amethi, Rae Bareli, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Maharajganj, Deoria, Bansgaon, Sitapur, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Jhansi, Barabanki, Fatehpur Sikri, Saharanpur, and Mathura.
Both parties are likely to hold a joint press conference soon to formally announce the alliance.
On January 30, the Samajwadi Party released its first list of candidates for 16 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. On Monday, the party announced 11 candidates, and on Tuesday, it declared five candidates, including Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle, Shivpal Yadav, who will be contesting from Budaun.