The Congress strategizes to orchestrate collective gatherings alongside the Samajwadi Party to counter the BJP-RLD amalgamation in the western regions of Uttar Pradesh. The time-honored party endeavors to collaborate with the SP to enlist its leader, Akhilesh Yadav, in the campaign alongside other esteemed party figures.
As per insiders within the Congress, the party aims to arrange assemblies featuring prominent figure Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot in the Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar constituencies, slated for polling on April 19, coinciding with Kairana, Bijnor, Moradabad, Nagina (SC), Rampur, and Pilibhit.
Designated with the coordination of joint gatherings in the aforementioned constituencies, Congress Legislative Party leader Aradhana Mishra collaborates with SP counterparts. Amongst the eight constituencies in Phase 1, the Congress solely contests Saharanpur, fielding formidable candidate Imran Masood, while the SP contests the remaining seven.
“Conducting joint rallies will bolster the alliance and lend greater gravitas to our electoral drive,” remarked AICC secretary Pradeep Narwal to ETV Bharat. According to sources, the Congress awaits an opportune moment and plans to commence election rallies post-April 10. These collaborative gatherings exemplify the cooperative efforts between Congress and SP to counter the BJP-RLD alliance.
With a robust support base in western Uttar Pradesh, the RLD had previously allied with the SP, securing seven seats. However, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary later opted to align with the BJP, albeit for only two seats.
Insiders suggest that the BJP relies on RLD’s support in western UP to address the concerns among the Jat farmers, predominant in the area. In the 2019 national elections, BJP clinched three seats – Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, and Pilibhit, while the SP-BSP alliance secured five. Moradabad and Rampur went to SP, while BSP secured Saharanpur, Bijnor, and Nagina.
Congress nominee for Saharanpur, Imran Masood, joined the party last year after being expelled from BSP. In the 2014 national elections, BJP swept seven out of the eight seats, aiming for a repeat performance in 2024, while Congress-SP alliance stands resolute against the saffron party.
“Our alliance commands strength in the western territories and is poised for success. Voters disillusioned with BJP and BSP’s diminishing influence are turning towards us,” asserted Narwal. While the Congress capitalizes on the charisma of its senior leaders, veteran SP figure Azam Khan, with significant sway in the region, remains incapacitated for campaigning due to incarceration.
Beyond UP, Congress strategists contemplate deploying the top triumvirate in Maharashtra, where the Congress-Shiv Sena UBT-NCP-SP coalition aims to counter the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition.
As per sources, Rahul Gandhi is slated to campaign in Bhandara-Gondia on April 13, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Ramtek on April 14, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Chandrapur on April 15, where Congress fielded Pratibha Dhanorkar.
In Ramtek, the party nominated Shyamrao Barve following the invalidation of his wife Rashmi Barve’s caste certificate. Bhandara-Gondia sees Prashant Pandole as the Congress candidate.
