Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Congress Weighs SP Alliance Against Revival in Uttar Pradesh
Congress used to be a very strong party in Uttar Pradesh, but it has won fewer votes and seats over many years.
It now has only two members in the state Assembly.
The party has chosen Aradhana Misra to lead its state unit and Imran Masood as working president.
Congress is preparing for the 2027 Assembly election and is expected to work with the Samajwadi Party.
Some people in Congress have also called for an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Past alliances sometimes helped Congress win more seats, but the gains did not last.
The article says Congress also needs to rebuild its local teams and support.
Its leaders must weigh the help an alliance could bring against the need to grow the party on its own.
Congress appointed Aradhana Misra as UPCC chief and Imran Masood as working president ahead of the 2027 state election.
Congress is preparing for seat-sharing talks with Samajwadi Party, its INDIA bloc ally in Uttar Pradesh.
The party has declined sharply since losing power in Uttar Pradesh after the 1989 Assembly election.
Congress won two Assembly seats in 2022 and six of the 17 Lok Sabha seats it contested in the state in 2024.
The article says alliances may offer temporary gains, while rebuilding organisation and booth-level cadre remains a central challenge.
- Who
- The Congress in Uttar Pradesh, including its newly appointed state leaders Aradhana Misra and Imran Masood.
- What
- The party is preparing for the 2027 Assembly election and faces a strategic choice between an alliance with the Samajwadi Party and rebuilding its own organisation.
- When
- Ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election; the article says the reshuffle came four months before the election, without specifying its year.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Congress has lost votes, seats and organisational strength over decades, and must decide how to regain influence.
Prioritize the SP alliance
Rebuild an independent party base
How to approach the 2027 Assembly election
Prioritize the SP alliance
An alliance with the Samajwadi Party could give Congress a better chance to win seats, as it did in some past elections.
Rebuild an independent party base
Past alliances have offered only temporary electoral gains; Congress needs to rebuild its organisation and booth-level cadre independently.
Whether to pursue a tie-up with the BSP
Prioritize the SP alliance
Some in Congress have called for an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party as its support base erodes.
Rebuild an independent party base
The article highlights the need for Congress to rebuild its own support and organisation rather than rely on alliances.
- Upcoming election
- Uttar Pradesh Assembly election expected in 2027
- New UPCC chief
- Aradhana Misra
- New working president
- Imran Masood
- Congress MLAs after 2022 election
- 2
- Congress seats in 2024 Lok Sabha election
- 6 of the 17 seats it contested in Uttar Pradesh
- Congress's best Assembly result cited
- 46 seats and 17.32% of votes in 1991
- Congress's peak Lok Sabha result cited
- 21 seats and 18.25% of votes in 2009