UP Bypoll: Congress Asks SP To Uphold ‘Coalition Dharma’ Amid Tensions; BJP Develops Plan To Counter ‘PDA’ Move

UP Bypolls 2024: Tensions rise between Samajwadi Party and Congress as the latter demands 5 seats but is offered only 2. Meanwhile, the BJP has developed a plan to counter Akhilesh Yadav's 'PDA' strategy.

By Viresh Pandey

As the bypolls for nine seats in Uttar Pradesh approach, tensions are simmering between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress party. According to sources, the SP has offered two seats to Congress, but the latter has taken a firm stance against this proposal, insisting that it will not contest unless it is allotted a minimum of five seats.

Ajay Rai, the President of the Congress party's Uttar Pradesh unit, stated in a phone interview with ABP News, “We are not going to agree to anything less than five seats. We have sent a proposal to the high command regarding this matter, in which we demand the seats won by the BJP and its allies. We are not seeking the seats that were previously allocated to the SP.”

The SP has announced candidates for seven of the nine seats, leaving the Ghaziabad and Khair constituencies for Congress. This decision has sparked dissatisfaction within the Congress ranks, with claims that if Congress is not granted more than two seats, it may withdraw from the bypolls altogether. Additionally, Congress workers have expressed their intention not to campaign in support of the SP during these elections.

SP Declared 7 Candidates For UP Bypolls Without Consulting Congress: Ajay Rai

Ajay Rai emphasised, “The SP has declared its seven candidates without consulting the Congress party. This goes against the spirit of alliance. It is not right to disregard Congress in Uttar Pradesh. The SP must adhere to the principles of coalition dharma. Taking on the BJP alone will not be easy for them. Rahul Gandhi also played a role in the Lok Sabha elections, which helped halt the BJP's winning streak in UP.”

He further warned that Congress will not bend to pressure and will require honourable seats to ensure the cooperation of its workers. Rai remarked, “The allocation of seats for the bypolls will also impact the electoral alliance for 2027. The SP needs to consider this. Congress is not dependent on the SP in Uttar Pradesh.” He urged the high command to discuss this matter with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

It is important to note that the dates for the bypolls in the nine constituencies, including Karhal, Sisamau, Kunderki, Ghaziabad, Phoolpur, Majhwan, Katehari, Khair, and Meerapur, have been announced. 

Previously, Ajay Rai indicated that Congress is particularly interested in the Majhawan, Ghaziabad, Khair, Meerapur, and Phulpur seats. However, the SP has already announced its candidates for Majhawan, Meerapur, and Phulpur.

SP is reported to be unhappy with the Congress’s approach during the Haryana elections, where it felt sidelined. On the day the Haryana results were announced, several SP leaders remarked that even if no seat was allotted to the party, Congress could have invited Akhilesh Yadav to campaign.  

The deadline for nominations is October 25, and final discussions regarding seat allocations between the SP and Congress are still in a deadlock. 

UP Bypolls: BJP Develops Plan To Counter Akhilesh Yadav's 'PDA' Strategy

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to release its list of candidates for the upcoming byelections in nine seats across Uttar Pradesh soon. Ongoing deliberations suggest that the BJP views these byelections as a semi-final ahead of the proposed assembly elections in 2027.

In a tactical response to the Samajwadi Party's (SP) formation of PDA representing the pichre (backward classes), Dalit, and alpashankhak (minority), the BJP has decided to adopt strategies aligned with Akhilesh Yadav's approach. Sources indicate that the BJP plans to contest the elections in UP by leveraging the PDA's strategies, including the slogan “Bantoge to Katoge” (meaning "If you get divided, you will perish"), which advocates for unity under the Hindutva ideology.

To counter the PDA, the BJP is reportedly placing its faith in candidates from the PDA class for the byelections. The UP BJP has submitted a panel of three names to the high command, predominantly featuring candidates seeking PDA tickets.

In a significant move, the party may allocate eight out of the nine seats to Dalit and OBC candidates, reserving just one seat for the general category. Notably, the BJP has decided to field Dalit or OBC candidates even for the general seat. It is worth mentioning that the SP successfully secured victory in Ayodhya, a traditionally safe seat for the BJP, by nominating Avadhesh Prasad Paswan in the Lok Sabha elections.

According to sources, the BJP high command has approved all candidate names for the nine seats in the byelections, with an official announcement expected today.

As for the SP, they have announced candidates for seven seats, although elections will not take place for the Milkipur seat. Thus, the SP has confirmed candidates for six seats: Karhal, Kunderki, Sisamau, Meerut, Phoolpur, and Majhwan.