‘I.N.D.I.A. alliance will sweep all 10 seats in UP by-polls,’ says Cong leader Sachin Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed strong confidence in the INDIA alliance’s chances in the upcoming by-elections for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, stating that the alliance would secure all 10 seats. During a visit to Lucknow on Wednesday, Pilot said, “There are by-elections on 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh, and the I.N.D.I.A. alliance will win all of them.”

Pilot also remarked on the shifting political climate following the Lok Sabha election results, which, according to him, marked a significant change in the country’s atmosphere. He noted that the central government’s earlier confidence, encapsulated by their “400 paar” slogan, had diminished, as they were forced to reverse several decisions. “The government’s decision-making ability is now under question,” Pilot added, predicting that the by-elections would reflect this sentiment.

The by-polls are necessary after nine sitting MLAs were elected to the Lok Sabha this year, and another MLA from Sishamau was disqualified following a criminal conviction. Though the Election Commission has yet to announce polling dates, the elections are anticipated to be closely watched.

In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP won a decisive 255 out of 403 seats, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) won 111, and Congress managed only two seats. However, among the 10 Assembly seats now heading for by-elections, five were won by the SP, three by the BJP, and one each by the BJP’s allies, the NISHAD Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), during the 2022 polls.

In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 33 out of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 parliamentary seats, with its allies RLD and Apna Dal (Soneylal) winning two and one seat, respectively. The SP won 37 seats, and Congress, as part of the INDIA alliance, secured six seats.