Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has announced that the ongoing seat-sharing negotiations with the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh are nearing completion, marking a significant breakthrough after weeks of back-and-forth discussions. Sources suggest that the intervention of senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra played a pivotal role in facilitating these talks.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reportedly initiated the discussions, engaging first with her brother Rahul Gandhi, who is currently leading the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh, and subsequently with Akhilesh Yadav to address the deadlock regarding seat allocation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The negotiations have led to a tentative agreement where the Samajwadi Party is set to contest 62 seats. In comparison, 17 seats are reserved for the Congress, and one for Chandrashekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party. .

Notably, the Congress has agreed to forgo its claim on the Moradabad seat in exchange for certain adjustments by the Samajwadi Party, including the potential withdrawal of their candidate from Varanasi. Additionally, there are discussions about swapping seats like Sitapur and Hathras, as well as considering the allocation of Shravasti to the Congress in exchange for either Bulandshahr or Mathura. However, the final decision on this matter is pending.

Sonia Gandhi's influence has been instrumental in persuading Congress leaders to accommodate the Samajwadi Party's aspirations in Uttar Pradesh. She reportedly deemed some of their initial demands as "unreasonable and unrealistic," thereby encouraging flexibility within the Congress ranks.

The success of these seat-sharing negotiations holds significant importance for the INDIA bloc, of which both parties are members. This development comes at a crucial juncture, particularly following failed discussions with other potential allies like Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, which have opted to contest elections independently in their respective states.

In a positive indication, Akhilesh Yadav expressed optimism about the alliance, stating, "All is well that ends well. Yes, there will be an alliance. There is no conflict. Everything will be out and clear soon." Furthermore, Yadav is expected to join the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on February 24-25 in Moradabad, subject to the finalization of seat-sharing arrangements.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has announced that the ongoing seat-sharing negotiations with the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh are nearing completion, marking a significant breakthrough after weeks of back-and-forth discussions. Sources suggest that the intervention of senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra played a pivotal role in facilitating these talks.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reportedly initiated the discussions, engaging first with her brother Rahul Gandhi, who is currently leading the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh, and subsequently with Akhilesh Yadav to address the deadlock regarding seat allocation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The negotiations have led to a tentative agreement where the Samajwadi Party is set to contest 62 seats. In comparison, 17 seats are reserved for the Congress, and one for Chandrashekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party. .

Notably, the Congress has agreed to forgo its claim on the Moradabad seat in exchange for certain adjustments by the Samajwadi Party, including the potential withdrawal of their candidate from Varanasi. Additionally, there are discussions about swapping seats like Sitapur and Hathras, as well as considering the allocation of Shravasti to the Congress in exchange for either Bulandshahr or Mathura. However, the final decision on this matter is pending.

Sonia Gandhi's influence has been instrumental in persuading Congress leaders to accommodate the Samajwadi Party's aspirations in Uttar Pradesh. She reportedly deemed some of their initial demands as "unreasonable and unrealistic," thereby encouraging flexibility within the Congress ranks.

The success of these seat-sharing negotiations holds significant importance for the INDIA bloc, of which both parties are members. This development comes at a crucial juncture, particularly following failed discussions with other potential allies like Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, which have opted to contest elections independently in their respective states.

In a positive indication, Akhilesh Yadav expressed optimism about the alliance, stating, "All is well that ends well. Yes, there will be an alliance. There is no conflict. Everything will be out and clear soon." Furthermore, Yadav is expected to join the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on February 24-25 in Moradabad, subject to the finalization of seat-sharing arrangements.