Samajwadi party and Congress to contest UP elections together; SP to have 298 seats, Cong to get 105

Putting all speculations to rest, both the parties have formally announced their alliance in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections.

By: News Desk |
January 22, 2017 7:25 pm

Samajwadi Party and the Congress on January 22 formally announced their alliance in a press conference ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. Congress leader Raj Babbar asserted that the party hoped the alliance will send out a positive message and that the party will work hard for the development of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

It was also announced that the Samajwadi Party will have 298 candidates, while the Congress will contest for 105 seats. Both the parties have ended the speculations that had been rounds for quite some times now.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav on January 22released election manifesto ahead of upcoming assembly elections. While speaking at the election manifesto event, Akhilesh Yadav promised to provide people with smartphones if Samajwadi Party comes back to power.

More than winning elections we want to defeat communal and divisive forces by alliance with SP: GN Azad, Cong #UPElection2017 pic.twitter.com/oYaVqPNf3o

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 22, 2017

SP will have 298 candidates and Congress will have 105 in #UPElection2017 : Naresh Uttam, SP pic.twitter.com/ckNjXr8C5D

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 22, 2017

Sure that this alliance (SP and Cong) will set an example; will strive hard for upliftment of poor & development of state: Raj Babbar, Cong pic.twitter.com/a4fBNhDXCq

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 22, 2017

Even as Akhilesh Yadav addressed the crowd SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh’s uncle Shivpal Yadav reportedly gave the event a miss for reasons not known as yet. It was also reported that SP leader, Azam Khan had left for Mulayam Singh’s residence to get him along to attend the manifesto event.

Amid the uproar over the Samajwadi’s party “cycle” symbol, the Election Commission decided to give the symbol to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Amid the ongoing feud within the Yadav clan for the ultimate leadership of the Samajwadi Party and its ‘Cycle’ symbol, Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had stated that he might go against his son, and present chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav if the situation demands so.

After the split in the party two weeks ago, the factions led by Mulayam and his son Akhilesh had approached the commission staking claim over the party and the symbol ‘cycle’. The side which has the support of majority (50 per cent plus 1) MPs, MLAs, MLCs and delegates will gain an upper hand in the fight to control the party founded 25 years ago.

UP will have a seven-phase election, with polling on February 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, March 4 and 8.