By Pradeep Kapoor
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav’s announcement that his party will contest as part of INDIA alliance in 2027 assembly has boosted the morale of opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh.
While addressing the office-bearers and leaders of Samajwadi Party minority cell at party headquarters Akhilesh Yadav said that his party will contest the assembly polls with Congress and other regional parties.
Akhilesh Yadav hinted alliance with the regional party which was till recently with BJP. Samajwadi Party national president has always maintained that his party’s alliance with Congress was continuing since 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
There is realisation in Akhilesh Yadav that it was only due to INDIA alliance his party got 37 seats in 2024 Lok Sabha elections and Congress got six seats. Akhilesh Yadav understands that his PDA (pichda, dalit and alpsangkhayak) alliance also favours Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi had raised the demand for caste census and organised save Constitution rallies and meetings which attracted large number of dalits toward Congress. Ultimately Modi government was forced to announce caste census and now gazette notification.
Akhilesh Yadav is now under tremendous pressure from backwards, minorities, dalits and dejected Brahmins to stay with Rahul Gandhi to take on BJP. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi too had made it clear during visit to Rae Bareli that his party will contest next assembly polls in alliance with Samajwadi Party as partner in INDIA alliance.
UPCC president Ajay Rai repeatedly said the decision for alliance with Samajwadi Party will be taken by high command of his party at an appropriate time. At the same time, UPCC president made it clear that under Sangathan Srjan programme, efforts were being made to set up booth level committees from village level to state headquarters.
Significantly Samajwadi Party and Congress are preparing to contest panchayat polls separately. Leadership of both the parties made it clear to leaders that those who would perform well in panchayat polls, would be rewarded in assembly polls.
Akhilesh Yadav has also asked his party leaders and members of frontal organisations to look into voters lists so that nobody can complain at the eleventh hour that their family members were left out. They should ensure the people living in their area should register their name in voters list.
Samajwadi Party national president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also directed his party units and frontal organisations to strengthen booth level committees from village level to state capital.
The SP President is functioning as a very aggressive opposition leader to corner Modi government at centre and Yogi government in state on the issue of corruption, atrocities on minorities and dalits. He also attacked Yogi government on the number of people died in Kumbh tragedy highlighted by recent BBC report. He frequently raises the issue of growing unemployment and exploitation of women and farmers.
Akhilesh Yadav promptly sent the party delegation or fact finding team to different parts of state and released the report at press conference. There is no doubt the backwards, minorities and dalits are now looking toward Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav and want these two leaders to contest the polls in alliance. (IPA Service)
