Akhilesh Yadav Says SP Will Join Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra Only After Locking Seat-Sharing Deal

With less than 60 days left to the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance aka INDIA bloc faced another major jolt on Monday as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced that he and his party cadres will join Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh only after the finalizing the seat sharing.

According to the reports, the Samajwadi Party is willing to give 15 seats to Congress, but the grand old party is asking for 25 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.

In the last Lok Sabha elections, Congress could win only one seat, Raebareli. It was no less than a shocker for Congress as Rahul Gandhi lost Amethi's bastion to Smriti Irani.

The reports added that if Congress doesn't finalize the seat sharing in a day or two, then Akhilesh Yadav might announce to contest solo against BJP in Uttar Pradesh like Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, and Bhagwant Man-led Aam Aadmi Party have announced to contest in West Bengal and Punjab, respectively.

Replying to a question on whether the Samajwadi Party will join Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra or not, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav said "We have had several rounds of discussions, exchanged many lists. When the seat-sharing is done, the Samajwadi Party will participate in their Nyay Yatra."

A few weeks ago, Akhilesh Yadav had announced through a post on X, formerly Twitter, that a deal has been locked and Congress has agreed to contest 11 seats. However, it was rubbished by the UP Congress president stating there is no such finalization and talks are underway.