by Ajay Kumar
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav’s decision to withdraw from the Haryana Assembly elections and support Congress has introduced a significant shift in the political landscape. This move not only impacts Haryana’s politics but could also have deep ramifications in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Akhilesh Yadav has signaled that the SP’s priority is to defeat the BJP, rather than protecting its own political interests.
Akhilesh Yadav recently announced the SP’s withdrawal from the Haryana Assembly elections. This decision came after Congress refused to allocate more seats to the SP in Haryana. Congress’s stance forced Akhilesh to adopt a new strategy. He made it clear that the SP’s priority is to defeat the BJP, and they are ready to make any sacrifices for this cause. He tweeted that this is not the time to think about political gains but to understand the people’s pain and deliver them from BJP’s politics.
The SP had initially planned to contest 17 seats in the Haryana elections, with its state unit focusing on important areas like Julana, Sohna, Bawal, Bhiwani, Charkhi-Dadri, and Ballabgarh. However, after Congress’s refusal to offer more than one seat, Akhilesh decided to withdraw from the Haryana elections. He announced full support to Congress, which could play a crucial role in the election battle.
Akhilesh Yadav’s sacrifice presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Congress. If Congress fails to meet the SP’s expectations in UP and Maharashtra, it could impact the relationship between the two parties. Akhilesh’s support in Haryana gives Congress a chance to form a strong front against the BJP. However, Congress needs to prove that it can live up to the SP’s hopes.
Preparations for by-elections in Uttar Pradesh have already begun. This time, by-elections will be held for 10 assembly seats in UP. Congress President Ajay Rai has stated that the party will contest 5 out of these 10 seats. This announcement reflects Congress’s ambitions, but Akhilesh Yadav believes that Congress will win only one or two seats. The SP’s strategy is to retain the existing five seats and capture the five seats held by NDA.
Akhilesh Yadav’s move could create a difficult situation for Congress in UP. After winning six seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress plans to increase its political influence in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi is continuously touring UP, and Congress has set a target to contest over 100 seats in the 2027 assembly elections. It remains to be seen whether Congress can meet the SP’s expectations in the by-elections.
In Maharashtra, the SP has also staked a claim to 10 seats. The party is focusing on constituencies with a high Muslim and North Indian voter base, such as Mumbai and Thane. The SP aims to increase its number of legislators in Maharashtra. The party has prepared its list of candidates and is working to strengthen its position in the electoral arena.
Akhilesh Yadav has sent a clear message by fully supporting Congress in Haryana that the SP’s priority is to defeat the BJP. Now, Congress must decide how to respond to this support. If Congress fails to meet the SP’s expectations and ignores the SP’s needs in UP and Maharashtra, it could affect the relationship between the two parties.
Following the sacrifice shown by the SP in Haryana, Congress is under pressure to give the SP due respect in UP and Maharashtra. Congress must demonstrate that it can strengthen its relationship with the SP and form an effective front against the BJP. If Congress uses this opportunity wisely, it could be a significant step for the electoral alliance.
The political maneuver between SP and Congress will impact not only Haryana, UP, and Maharashtra politics but also have a profound effect on the opposition alliance’s politics. Akhilesh Yadav’s decision to withdraw from the Haryana elections and support Congress has set a new political direction, and now Congress must prove that it can effectively use this support. The future of Congress and SP’s relationship will depend on how they achieve their political goals and work together to build a strong front against the BJP.
In this way, Akhilesh Yadav’s withdrawal from the Haryana elections and support for Congress is a significant political decision that could alter the current political scenario in India. This decision will not only affect SP and Congress’s politics but also reflect the opposition alliance’s unity against the BJP.
