The Aryavarth Express
Agency (LUCKNOW): Ever since Akhilesh Yadav joined Bharat Jodo Yatra of Rahul Gandhi at Agra, there is a perfect understanding between Samajwadi Party and Congress for Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh. Both the leaders sent positive message to the party leaders and workers through their action during their joint rally at Agra. So much so both the leaders took selfie of each other to show mutual respect which was very well appreciated by those present on the occasion.
Recently senior Congress leaders Avinash Pande who is AICC general secretary incharge of UP, state Congress President Ajai Rai, CLP leader Aradhna Mishra and senior leader PL Punia visited Samajwadi Party headquarters to meet Akhilesh Yadav and other senior leaders.
Akhilesh Yadav introduced the senior Congress leaders to party office-bearers and district level leaders from 17 Lok Sabha seats given to Congress as part of seat sharing in INDIA block in UP. Akhilesh Yadav directed the Samajwadi Party leaders at state level as well as in districts to ensure victory of Congress candidates in all the 17 Lok Sabha seats.
Instructions have been sent by both the parties to district level office-bears to set up coordination committees for better understanding and joint campaign for candidates. As a part of the strategy and better understanding Samajwadi Party and Congress candidates have started visiting the offices and residences of each other party leaders.
Leaders from the both the parties emphasised on the need of coordination between leaders and workers to set up coordination committees at booth level. Both the parties have learnt lessons from 2017 assembly polls when they contested the polls in alliance which miserably failed to transfer votes to candidates of other party.
Although Congress is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats but this time it is going to be tough challenge to retain Rae Bareli and get back Amethi from BJP.
There was a time when Congress won 82 seats out of total 85 Lok Sabha seats in 1984 Lok Sabha polls.. The tally came down to only one in 2019 when Mrs Sonia Gandhi won from Rae Bareli. The vote percentage too took the dip and reached all-time low at 2.33 in 2022 assembly polls.
Similarly for Samajwadi Party also these polls are very important as party was able to retain five seats in 2019 Lok Sabha polls while the alliance partner BSP increased the tally from nil to 10. Samajwadi Party got setback when it’s candidates were defeated in Rampur and Azamgarh by-elections reducing the tally to only three.
So it is in the larger interest of both the parties the leaderships of Samajwadi Party and Congress should set up the coordination committees from state to both level for mobilisation of voters and ensure transfer of votes for candidates of both the parties. (IPA Service)
By Pradeep Kapoor