“I Am Against the SP-Congress Alliance”, Says Mulayam Singh Yadav
The party supremo said he is not going to campaign in the state on behalf of the newly-forged alliance.
- Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav address the first ever “Gathbandhan” rally post the SP-Congress alliance announcement.
- ‘Progress, prosperity & peace’ is the alliance’s motto.
- Analysts said Congress had bleak winning chances, which are set to improve with the tie-up.
As for an alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the leaders did not rule out the possibility. - Gandhi said Congress backed SP because of Akhilesh’s “good intentions”.
- The alliance will fight “fascist forces” of BJP and RSS.
- Mulayam Singh Yadav said he was against the alliance of the two parties.
Alliance with Congress Was Not Needed
Hours after Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi delivered their first joint address, after the announcement of the SP-Congress alliance, Mulayam Singh Yadav denounced it.
The party supremo said that his party was capable of contesting and winning the elections alone and didn’t need Congress’ help.
He also said that he will not be campaigning on behalf of the newly-formed alliance, as he is against the “samjhauta”.
Yadav asked what the party leaders will do whose tickets have been snatched as they will have to wait for five more years to contest the polls.
Road Show Begins
Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav began their road show in Lucknow after delivering their first joint address since the Congress-SP alliance was announced.
First Ever Joint Address Post SP-Congress Alliance
'Akhilesh Has Good Intentions'
Rahul Gandhi attacked the RSS saying that it doesn’t have good intentions.
He said Congress is backing the SP because Akhilesh has “good intentions”.
Why Isn't BSP a Part of the Alliance?
Akhilesh Yadav evaded answering a question on why BSP is not part of the alliance by saying that “they couldn’t be given space for even their party symbol is an elephant”.
All Praise for Mayawati
Rahul Gandhi was all praise for Mayawati, saying that she did falter while she was the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, yet his respect for her remains intact.
He also said that BJP is pitting Indians against each other.
"BJP Party of Corruption and Mafia"
When asked about the BJP’s comment that the SP-Congress combine was only about corruption and goons, Gandhi said that’s what the BJP was all about. Hew said the Congress-SP tier-up is a “dil ka alliance” and not an opportunistic one.
Akhilesh even cross-questioned a reporter, asking him what he thought of Gandhi and Yadav. “Bhaiya hum dono ko dekh aapko kya lagta hai?”
“Sharif aadmi?” the reported said. “Lo, jawaab mil gaya,” the UP CM retorted.
On Seat Sharing in Amethi and Rae Bareli
Will the 2017 Experiment Be Repeated in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections?
Yadav and Gandhi did not rule out the possibility of an alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
"Youth Needs to Know UP is Responding"
Gandhi said that the DNA of Uttar Pradesh does not contain rage and animosity but tolerance.
Akhilesh Yadav said they are seeking the blessings of the party elders for the elections.
"Where Are the 'Acche Din'?"
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav questioned where are the “acche din” promised by the Prime Minister, saying that people have seen “sardi, garmi, barsaat, kal ka manifesto but no acche din”. He added:
"Why Was UP 'behaal' for '27 saal'?"
“I’ve always said that Akhilesh is doing good work but he’s not being allowed to work for the state,” Gandhi said. “We are aligning with Akhilesh so we can spread the message of Congress across the country.”
Alliance an Answer to Modi
Akhilesh Yadav said the Congress-SP alliance is an answer to those who made the “nation stand in long queues.”
"Progress ki Saraswati"
Rahul Gandhi talks about the alliance, calls it a progressive one which will benefit the state. He likened the alliance to the coming together of the Ganges and Yamuna.
Rahul Gandhi Hopeful on UP Win
The Congress Vice-President said the alliance is based on the three P’s, “progress, prosperity and peace.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav went ahead and added a fourth P, saying:
First Joint Press Conference
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav are set to jointly address a press conference at 1 pm on Sunday.
This is the first time the two will address the public jointly after the Samajwadi Party and Congress alliance was announced.
Later Gandhi and Yadav will go to Nakkhas, Chowk, Ghantaghar where the road show will conclude.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)