Failed in 2017, can SP-Cong bonhomie upset saffron surge in 2027?

As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says his party will fight the 2027 U.P. assembly election under INDIA alliance, it remains to be seen if the 'U.P. ke do ladke' (refers to Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav) will click this time unlike in 2017 when Akhilesh Yadav was facing anti-incumbency factor.

- Gaurav Saigal

RAE BARELI/AMETHI:

The SP chief has already hinted at going ahead with the INDIA alliance and reiterated it on several occasions. Both the parties are also buoyed by their performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh when they relegated the ruling party to second place as they jointly won maximum 43 seats (SP 37 and Congress 6).

On Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in Rae Bareli: "INDIA alliance will first win Bihar (later) this year and then UP in 2027". The same day, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said in Lucknow: "INDIA alliance is strong and intact in UP".

Rahul Gandhi's statement has infused a fresh energy into the cadre of both the parties. In 2017, SP got 47 (one in every six seats they fought in coalition) assembly seats and Congress 7 (one in every 15 seats they fought).

In the 2019 LS polls when they fought without coalition, SP got just 5 seats and Congress one in Uttar Pradesh. However, the 2024 Lok Sabha polls gave a major boost to both the parties.

But will this alliance work wonders in 2027 UP polls? In 2019 general elections, when there was no alliance, the Congress had lost Amethi Lok Sabha seat to BJP's Smriti Irani while in 2024 under INDIA alliance, Congress candidate KL Sharma won the seat defeating Irani.

In 2022 assembly election (without alliance), SP's vote share was 32.06% and Congress's 2.33% while in 2024 Lok Sabha (with alliance) Congress's vote share went up to 9.46%.