Congress Leaders Welcome Move, Party Workers in Catch-22 Situation

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's hint at the likely continuation of the SP-Congress alliance in the 2027 assembly elections as part of the INDIA bloc may put the grand old party in a Catch-22 situation in Uttar Pradesh.

- Umesh Raghuvanshi

LUCKNOW:

"INDIA bloc exists and will remain," Akhilesh Yadav said at Prayagraj on Sunday, indicating that the SP and the Congress would fight 2027 UP assembly elections as INDIA bloc partners.

Yadav's assertion has come when the Congress is undergoing a revamp and trying to strengthen the organisation across the state.

The key question that Congress leaders will have to answer to party workers in the coming months is: Whether to strengthen the party for an 'ekla chalo' policy (go it alone) in the 2027 polls or get ready to play second fiddle to the SP?

Senior Congress leaders have, however, welcomed Yadav's indication for now.

"This is a welcome move. The Congress contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election in alliance with the Samajwadi Party and is ready to do so in 2027 UP assembly elections," said All India Congress Committee general secretary (incharge UP) Avinash Pandey.