LUCKNOW: Seat-sharing negotiations between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress are emerging as a major challenge for the INDIA bloc ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. While Congress is seeking a larger share of constituencies after its improved performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, SP is keen to retain its dominant position in the state’s opposition alliance.
According to the seat-sharing discussions outlined in political reports, the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP is considering offering Congress around 60-70 seats in the 403-member Assembly. Congress, however, is reportedly pushing for a substantially larger share, with its demands ranging from 120 to 170 constituencies and some leaders advocating an even higher allocation.
Congress seeks bigger share
Congress leaders are drawing attention to the party’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when it won six parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh as part of its alliance with SP. They are also citing the 2017 Assembly elections, when Congress contested 114 seats in an alliance with SP.
The party is reluctant to play a marginal role in the alliance and wants sufficient constituencies to rebuild its organisational strength in the state.
SP relies on its electoral base
SP, meanwhile, is keen to contest around 330-340 constituencies, leaving a smaller share for its allies. Its leaders are believed to be factoring in Congress’s limited performance in previous Assembly elections while calculating the alliance’s seat distribution.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is reportedly playing a key role in negotiations, holding consultations with state leaders. Congress wants the discussions to be concluded by November 15 to give candidates adequate time to campaign.
Despite the differences, Akhilesh Yadav has maintained that defeating the BJP remains the alliance’s primary objective. The BJP-led NDA, which includes regional allies, is expected to face a challenge from the SP-Congress combine in what could become a closely contested election.
The final seat-sharing formula is likely to be crucial to the opposition alliance’s prospects in Uttar Pradesh.
