2 hrs ago
Congress, SP Clash Over Claims on Defeating BJP Uttar Pradesh
Iqra Hasan, an SP politician, said Akhilesh Yadav is the best person to challenge the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
She also said Congress would struggle if it worked alone.
Congress leaders disagreed with that idea.
Imran Masood said the two parties should work together peacefully.
Udit Raj said alliances can help parties win many more seats.
The BJP said people in Uttar Pradesh already support its government.
The next state election will choose all 403 Assembly members.
It is expected to happen in several stages in 2027.
Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan said only Akhilesh Yadav can defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
Hasan said Congress cannot achieve much independently but called an alliance beneficial if it continues.
Congress MP Imran Masood urged the SP and Congress to move together, while calling Hasan their “child” and “niece.”
Congress leader Udit Raj cited the SP’s increase from six MPs in 2019 to 36 in 2024 as evidence of alliance benefits.
The 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled for election in 2027, with voting likely in February–March.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan, Congress leaders Imran Masood and Udit Raj, and Uttar Pradesh BJP Vice-President Neeraj Singh.
- What
- The leaders exchanged views on whether the Samajwadi Party, Congress, or their alliance can defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, India; the Congress response was reported from New Delhi.
- When
- The comments were made on Monday and Tuesday; the next Assembly election is scheduled for 2027.
- Why
- The remarks concern opposition coordination and electoral prospects ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.
SP-Congress Opposition Coordination
BJP Electoral Confidence
Value of an alliance
SP-Congress Opposition Coordination
Congress leaders said the SP and Congress should remain together, arguing that combined strength can improve electoral performance.
BJP Electoral Confidence
Iqra Hasan said an alliance would be good if it remains, but that its failure would hurt Congress rather than the SP.
Who can defeat the BJP
SP-Congress Opposition Coordination
Congress leader Udit Raj pointed to the SP’s rise from six MPs in 2019 to 36 in 2024 as evidence that political alliances can significantly increase results.
BJP Electoral Confidence
Iqra Hasan said only Akhilesh Yadav can defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, while the BJP said voters have already aligned themselves with its government.
Independent strength
SP-Congress Opposition Coordination
Congress representatives rejected the suggestion that either party should be dismissed, with Imran Masood saying Hasan also cannot succeed alone.
BJP Electoral Confidence
Hasan said Congress would not achieve much on its own, and Neeraj Singh made a similar claim about Congress nationally.
Key facts
- Main dispute
- Whether Akhilesh Yadav alone, Congress, or an SP-Congress alliance is best positioned to challenge the BJP.
- Iqra Hasan’s position
- She said only Akhilesh Yadav can defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and that Congress cannot do much alone.
- Congress response
- Imran Masood called for cooperation, while Udit Raj argued that alliances can produce stronger results.
- SP performance cited
- Udit Raj said the SP won 36 seats in 2024, compared with six MPs in 2019.
- Next election
- The Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is scheduled for 2027.
- Assembly size
- The election will choose all 403 members of the state Assembly.
- Likely timing
- Voting is likely in February–March 2027 and may take place in multiple phases.
Quotes
Imran Masood
Congress Member of Parliament who responded to Hasan’s remarks
“It is an absolutely foolish statement. I think that if there is anyone in Uttar Pradesh who can defeat the BJP, it is only Akhilesh Yadav. Congress will not be able to do anything on its own. If the alliance remains, it will be very good; if it does not, it is a loss for them (Congress), not for us.”
thehansindia.com
“Congress will not be able to achieve anything on its own across the country. And even if it forms an alliance with the Samajwadi Party or any other party in Uttar Pradesh, the people of Uttar Pradesh have already formed an alliance in their hearts with the BJP government...”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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