The collaborative efforts between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party regarding seat allocation for the impending Lok Sabha elections hit an impasse, as disagreements arose particularly concerning the constituencies of Moradabad, Ballia, and Bijnor, according to insider sources familiar with the negotiations.
Reports suggest that the deadlock stemmed from Akhilesh Yadav's reluctance to cede the Moradabad, Ballia, and Bijnor seats to the Congress. Additionally, it's noted that the Congress expressed keen interest in securing the Ballia seat, a stronghold traditionally associated with the Samajwadi Party, for its state president, Ajay Rai.
With negotiations failing to yield a resolution, the fallout extended to Akhilesh Yadav's participation in Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, as Yadav had previously indicated that he would not engage in the yatra until seat-sharing arrangements with the Congress were finalized.
Akhilesh Yadav stated, "Once the seat allocation is finalized, the Samajwadi Party will join the Congress' Nyay Yatra."
In the backdrop of the developments, it's worth noting that the Samajwadi Party clinched victory in the Moradabad seat during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, albeit with the Congress finishing a close second in the mayoral election in Moradabad, narrowly missing out on victory.
On the negotiating table, the Samajwadi Party put forth an offer of 17 Lok Sabha seats to the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, the party unveiled 11 more candidates from Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming general elections, including notable figures such as Mukhtar Ansari's brother and BSP MP Afzal Ansari.
This setback in seat-sharing negotiations underscores the intricate dynamics within the opposition INDIA bloc, where both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party maintain a partnership.
