Signs of strain are emerging within the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh as a section of senior Congress members prepares to persuade the party high command to go solo in the state assembly elections due in early 2027. This move runs contrary to the general perception that the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP), two key constituents of the INDIA bloc in UP, will contest the elections as alliance partners.
Background of the Alliance
Interestingly, Congress and the SP had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as allies of the INDIA bloc, winning six and 37 seats respectively. However, the current sentiment among some Congress members indicates a desire to break away from the alliance for the upcoming state polls.
Congress Members' Concerns
UP Congress members have communicated their sentiments to the party brass. A senior Congress functionary told TOI, "Some top functionaries will meet the party high command and communicate the sentiments of the party members in the state." He further explained that the alliance with SP could serve the purpose of the BJP, which relies on divisive politics and polarisation on religious grounds. "Once we fall into their trap, the real issues of development, employment, welfare, and corruption, which impact the lives of people, will lose steam," he added.
Another senior Congressman highlighted the noticeable presence of party functionaries across the state on important issues concerning the common man, which has changed ground realities. "Our functionaries have been visiting victims of crime across the state and have staged protests against the failures of the BJP government, while the SP cadre have lost contact with the ground level. Things have changed drastically in the recent past," he said.
SP's Cautious Response
Expectedly, the SP remained cautious in its response to the development. Senior SP member and former MLC Udaiveer Singh stated, "In UP, we have been together as part of the INDIA bloc." Regarding the possibility of Congress going solo in UP polls, he said if there was any such sentiment, it was an internal issue for Congress. He asserted that for SP, the INDIA bloc remains intact, a sentiment echoed by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav at a recent press conference where he said SP will contest the 2027 polls under the INDIA bloc.
Singh also suggested that the Congress top leadership may not have taken its UP members into confidence about the INDIA bloc's composition. "There is a possibility that the Congress top leadership may not have taken their UP members in confidence about the INDIA bloc's composition," he said.
SP's Perspective on Internal Dynamics
A section of SP functionaries view the Congress sentiment of going solo in UP polls as a move pushed by some "pro-BJP" individuals within the grand old party. One senior SP functionary remarked, "In light of this development, Congress members trying to meet BSP chief Mayawati (last month) makes much more sense."
