NEW DELHI: The new Congress in-charge for UP, Rajendra Pal Gautam, kickstarted his innings with a demand for parity and respect from Samajwadi Party for the coming UP elections, accentuating the fault line of “seat distribution” that has dogged the alliance in the past. It has raised concerns in some quarters that such debate is distracting from serious issues to corner the governing BJP.Congress’s focus on its organisational building across the state – a shorthand for larger seat share – defies the urgency that SP has sought to insert in the preparation for the state elections scheduled for Feb 2027.Only days ago, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had litigated the issue in the meeting of INDIA bloc by making a forceful plea that Congress show a big heart toward regional parties. It echoed the unease among sections of the UP alliance over the delay in finalising the seat-sharing arrangement.In the meeting, sources said, Akhilesh had asked Congress to give primacy to regional parties on their turfs – which could be seen as a plea to Congress to be “reasonable”. Apparently giving the example of 2024 Lok Sabha deal, he argued that allocating 17 seats to Congress against a lesser planned tally hampered the alliance’s ability to secure better results. A senior opposition member said the SP chief even named specific constituencies which the alliance lost but could have won.Interestingly, he is said to have pleaded with Congress that it should trust the judgment of the regional parties in states, per the senior INDIA bloc member. The remarks appeared to press for an early start and conclusion of tie-up formalities to kickstart the UP campaign, as Akhilesh is said to have noted that the challenge for opposition has increased after the defeat of like-minded parties in Bihar and Bengal.What seems to worry sections of UP allies is that Congress’ “easy approach” is made worse by repeated remarks from its functionaries seeking a high share of seats from SP – which has triggered a constant to-and-fro among local functionaries of the two camps.The mistrust has grown to a level that when Gautam, as AICC SC department chairman, and MP Tanuj Punia made an unscheduled visit to BSP head Mayawati’s residence in May and sought a meeting, it triggered a controversy. While Mayawati did not meet Gautam and Punia, many saw it as Congress’s attempt to pressure SP. Later, Congress had to give clarification.
