UP 2017: Congress-SP Alliance Likely to Be Announced on Wednesday
Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday said an alliance with the Samajwadi Party for the upcoming UP elections was confirmed.
- All eyes are now on an SP-Congress alliance which may be announced on Wednesday
- On Tuesday, Mulayam submitted list of 38 candidates to Akhilesh, excluded brother Shivpal’s name
- The EC had acknowledged UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as the Samajwadi Party chief on Monday
- It ruled that the ‘cycle’ symbol belongs to the Akhilesh-led faction
Congress Announced Uttar Pradesh Alliance
Congress leader and AICC Uttar Pradesh in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday said that an alliance with the Samajwadi Party for the upcoming assembly elections was confirmed and seat-sharing talks between the two parties were underway.
Azad, however, refused to comment on whether a ‘mahagatbandhan’ alliance between like-minded parties would take place.
NCP Ready to Join UP's Grand Alliance''
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP on Tuesday said it is ready to join the grand secular alliance in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh with Samajwadi Party as the pivot.
"I got a call from Akhilesh Yadav in the afternoon when I was in Goa. We spoke about NCP allying with SP in Uttar Pradesh," NCP leader Praful Patel told reporters in Goa.
Patel is in Goa to check preparedness of his party to contest the Goa Assembly elections slated for 4 February.
Akhilesh Called His Ties With Father Mulayam "Unbreakable"
Amidst talks of an alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress, Akhilesh Yadav’s social media campaign paid a tribute to his father Mulayam Singh.
The advertisements ranged from “Saath rahein" (stay together) to “Aagey badein" (let's move forward).
Akhilesh also called on his father at the latter's residence for the second time in two days and described his ties with him as “unbreakable”.
"Not Responsible for SP Rift"
Senior SP leader Amar Singh, who is currently in London, said that he isn’t on anyone’s side (referring to Akhilesh and Mulayam factions).
“Mulayam ji doesn’t consider me to be a villain,” said Singh, who has often been blamed for the internal tussle.
Responding to the allegations that he was trying to split the SP on the behest of the BJP, he said:
There Will Be An Alliance: Ram Gopal Yadav
Akhilesh loyalist and uncle Ram Gopal Yadav, while commenting on the SP-Congress tie-up, said, “Talks will be held and there will be an alliance.”
Akhilesh Faction Files Caveat in SC
Akhilesh Yadav’s faction filed a caveat in the Supreme Court in anticipation of Shivpal going to court over the EC’s verdict on party symbol.
The caveat stated that if the aggrieved party approaches the apex court for any plea, the court shouldn't pass any ex parte (temporary) order without hearing Akhilesh’s side.
Mulayam Excludes Shivpal's Name From List
Akhilesh Yadav met Mulayam Singh twice since his ‘cycle’ win on Monday evening. After meeting his father on Monday night to seek his “blessings”, Akhilesh again met him on Tuesday morning.
According to an NDTV report, Mulayam has submitted a list of 38 candidates who cannot be “overlooked”. But shockingly, he excluded brother Shivpal’s name.
However, the list includes Mulayam’s son Aditya Yadav and “several other ministers and loyalists disliked by Akhilesh”.
Will Father-Son Reconcile?
Speculation was rife about Mulayam Singh’s next move after the EC verdict. Amid the various reports was one by Aaj Tak, which suggested that Mulayam was ready to reconcile with Akhilesh and present his own list of candidates for the Assembly polls.
Talks on for SP-Cong Alliance: Sheila Dikshit
Congress’ UP chief ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit informed that “talks are on for a SP-Congress alliance that will benefit the state.”
She is also willing to “gracefully” withdraw her candidature for Akhilesh in case of a tie-up.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also shared that the two parties will join hands for the upcoming polls.
Sources suggested that the Congress may ask for 100 seats in the 403-member UP Assembly polls.
'Focus Is Now on Winning Election'
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav addressed the Samajwadi Party workers at his official residence, 5 Kalidas Marg on Tuesday.
Speaking of his ties with Mulayam Singh, he said “Relation with my father can never be broken. I never had differences with him. In fact, 90 per cent of the candidates on our lists are the same.”
On the question of an alliance with the Congress party before the state heads to polls next month, he asked the supporters to “wait for some time”.
After the symbol battle, Akhilesh said that the concentration now shifts entirely to winning the polls.
Akhilesh Pedals On
In the Yadav vs Yadav tussle, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav emerged as the victor, after the Election Commission acknowledged him as the party chief and announced that the ‘cycle’ symbol belongs to the Akhilesh-led Samajwadi Party on Monday.
In its verdict, the EC said that now ex-SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav did not file a single affidavit.
Whereas, the Akhilesh faction submitted individual affidavits from 28 members of National Executive of the party, 15 MPs, 205 MLAs and 56 MLCs.
Akhilesh, after his win, went to meet his father and took his blessings.
Reports suggested that Mulayam supporters would move the court over EC’s decision.
(With inputs from ANI)
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