In Madhya Pradesh, there has been a sharp exchange of statements between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has made it clear that he is inclined to go solo against the Congress. The primary reason behind this is the inability of both parties to come to an agreement on seat-sharing. Akhilesh Yadav has also suggested that the Congress should refrain from making statements with its ‘old guard’.
This friction between the two parties indicates the growing differences between them. On the other hand, the President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, Ajay Rai, has stated that Akhilesh Yadav, as the national president of a major party, can make any statement he wants. However, if he wishes to defeat the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, he should consider an alliance with the Congress. Ajay Rai had earlier criticized the Samajwadi Party for not fielding candidates in Madhya Pradesh. It is believed that Akhilesh Yadav’s “old guard” statement was directed at him.
The opposition has formed the India Gathbandhan against the BJP, but there is no consensus on seat allocation among the parties in this alliance for the upcoming state assembly elections. After the release of the Congress candidate list in Madhya Pradesh, it is evident that there are disagreements between the Samajwadi Party and Congress. This public discord has raised concerns about the future of the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance).
In Madhya Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav’s argument was that the Congress should leave the seats that the Samajwadi Party had won in the previous elections or the seats where the Congress had a stronger presence. Despite discussions and meetings between the Samajwadi Party and Congress leaders, an agreement on seat-sharing could not be reached. As a result, the Madhya Pradesh Congress President Kamal Nath decided to field Congress candidates in all constituencies.
After the candidate list was released, Akhilesh Yadav, in anger, stated that the Samajwadi Party would reciprocate in Uttar Pradesh the way the Congress behaved in Madhya Pradesh. Notably, the Samajwadi Party had not fielded candidates against Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli for more than two decades. All of this has deepened the conflict between the two major parties in the India Gathbandhan.
Akhilesh Yadav’s recent statements suggest some dissatisfaction with the Congress party in the context of electoral alliances. He has expressed concerns about the credibility of the India Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) and stated that if he had known that the Congress would betray them, he would not have sent Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders to meet Congress leaders or share the list of seats with them.
Akhilesh Yadav also questioned whether the alliance with Congress was only for Lok Sabha elections or also for state assembly elections. He mentioned that if there’s no alliance for state assembly elections, it might not happen in the future.
Moreover, Akhilesh Yadav made it clear that if Congress is not ready to provide seats in Madhya Pradesh, SP would play a prominent role in Uttar Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections, SP won’t form an alliance with Congress either.
Following Akhilesh’s statements, the Congress’s Uttar Pradesh state president, Ajay Rai, also expressed uncertainty about the alliance. He mentioned that the party is preparing for all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, and the leadership will decide the candidates. Rai stated that every Congress worker is dedicated, and their support will be evident in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress’s groundswell will sweep everyone away.
These statements reveal that there are significant differences and disagreements between the two parties, and it remains to be seen how these issues are resolved or if the alliance will continue as it did in the past.
In the past, there have been instances where opposition alliances faced difficulties due to disagreements and competition among their members. It’s crucial for opposition parties to come together and present a united front to challenge the ruling party effectively in the upcoming elections. However, the success of such alliances depends on various factors, including seat-sharing arrangements, leadership dynamics, and regional considerations.