UP Bypolls: Congress Candidates To Fight Under SP's Cycle Symbol, Says Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced that candidates from the INDIA bloc will contest all nine Uttar Pradesh by-elections under the party's "cycle" symbol.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that the candidates of the INDIA bloc would contest all nine seats in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh byelections under his party's "cycle" symbol. Akhilesh's confidence stems from SP's results in the Lok Sabha elections four months ago. 

He said: "It is not about seats but about winning'. Under this strategy, the joint candidates of 'India Alliance' will contest on all the nine seats on the Samajwadi Party's election symbol 'cycle'."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yadav stated, "The Congress and Samajwadi Party are working hand in hand to secure a significant win. The INDIA alliance is set to mark a new chapter in this by-election."

Yadav further highlighted the enthusiasm among party workers, noting that every INDIA bloc worker is energised and committed to winning in these nine constituencies. "Samajwadi Party's strength has increased manifold with the support of Congress party's top leadership and booth-level workers. With this unprecedented cooperation and support, every worker of 'India Alliance' in all the nine assembly seats has been filled with new energy with the resolve to win." he said.

"This is an election to save the country's constitution, harmony and the honour of the PDA. That is why our appeal to everyone is: not even a single vote should be reduced, not even a single vote should be divided. This unity and solidarity of 'INDIA' filled with harmony in the interest of the country will write new history today and tomorrow as well," he said.

The by-elections, set for November 13, will cover nine constituencies: Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Karhal (Mainpuri), Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar), Ghaziabad, Majhawan (Mirzapur), Sishamau (Kanpur), Khair (Aligarh), Phulpur (Prayagraj), and Kundarki (Moradabad). The majority of these seats were vacated as their MLAs moved to Parliament, while the Sishamau seat became vacant following the disqualification of SP MLA Irfan Solanki after his criminal conviction.

The Election Commission announced by-elections for these nine constituencies, excluding Milkipur (Ayodhya), with the final date for candidate nominations set for October 25. Vote counting will occur on November 23.

The Samajwadi Party has already named its candidates for Karhal, Sisamau, Phulpur, Milkipur, Katehari, Majhawan, and Meerapur.