The Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh is under cloud due to fast changing political events in the state. The main impediment is the differences in seat sharing between the two parties—while the Congress has asked for around 120 seats, the SP is not willing to part with more than 100.
However, sources claim that amidst huge uncertainty hovering over the alliance, Priyanka Vadra, has made a last minute intervention to save the deal. It has been reliably learnt that Priyanka, who seems to be very serious about the pact, had sent an emissary to SP President and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to give a final shape to the alliance as soon as possible. Akhilesh has not responded to Priyanka’s emissary till the filing of this report.
Sources in SP said that Akhilesh would finalise his stand late on Saturday night or Sunday and would give a final reply to the Congress.
Even the Congress leaders hinted about Priyank’s intervention to save the alliance.
The first list of candidates announced by the SP has put the prospects of alliance into rough weather. Speculations about the possible tie-up between the two parties has been flying thick and fast ever since Akhilesh took over the control of the Samajwadi Party unseating his father Mulayam Singh Yadav from the national president's post.
Congress leader Ajay Makan said, “Our talks with the SP are still on; our leaders are in touch.”
The SP has announced its own candidates in many constituencies where the Congress was winner, which jolted the prospects of the alliance.
There is also a general feeling among both the camps that the “ego” of the top leaders of both the parties are proving a stumbling block. While Akhilesh wants Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to come to Lucknow and announce the alliance, the Congress wants that Akhilesh should come to Delhi and announce the alliance there along with Rahul.
Whatever be the fate of the pact, Akhilesh’s move has put the Congress on back foot in the state for the time being.
