The verbal tussle continues between Congress and Samajwadi Party over the I.N.D.I.A alliance. In this sequence, Akhilesh Yadav has once again accused Congress of deceit, advising them not to let their minor leaders speak for the Samajwadi Party.
During his visit to the Shahjahanpur training camp, Yadav interacted with journalists and mentioned that if the I.N.D.I.A alliance is not at the legislative level, he won’t engage with Congress. He expressed confusion may have been spread regarding the alliance, particularly upset with Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai’s statements. He questioned the credentials of those giving statements about the I.N.D.I.A alliance and how much they actually know, urging senior Congress leaders to prevent such remarks from their juniors.
Yadav also shared that overnight discussions were held with Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh regarding which seats Samajwadi Party could win in Madhya Pradesh. Despite assurances of considering six seats, when Congress released their candidate list, not a single seat was allocated to Samajwadi Party. Yadav stated that if I.N.D.I.A alliance is for Lok Sabha elections, further deliberation will occur, and the treatment meted out to Samajwadi Party by Congress will be reciprocated.
Previously too, Akhilesh Yadav has expressed similar concerns regarding Madhya Pradesh legislative elections. The Samajwadi Party emphasises that the scenario in Madhya Pradesh reflects that in Uttar Pradesh for Congress. If Congress isn’t allocating seats to Samajwadi Party in the state legislative elections, they question Congress’s right to demand seats in the Lok Sabha elections. This was also echoed by Pradesh President Ajay Rai, who acknowledged Samajwadi Party’s victory in the Ghosi by-elections only when supported by Congress, further poking at Yadav for the loss in Azamgarh.
