The alliance between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, which stunned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in last year’s Lok Sabha elections, is now showing signs of strain as both parties prepare for the 2027 Assembly polls. This political development comes after the two parties contested the recent Haryana and Delhi elections independently, signaling increasing distance and discord between them.

The Rift in Congress-SP Alliance

Senior Congress leader and Saharanpur MP Imran Masood has publicly emphasized the need for a "reset" in the relationship between the two parties before the critical Uttar Pradesh elections in 2027. Masood was clear in his message that Congress will not accept the previous seat-sharing formula, where the SP dictated terms, often sidelining the Congress party’s interests.

Masood referred to the earlier 80-17 seat sharing arrangement from the Lok Sabha elections, under which Congress contested just 17 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP. He asserted that this formula will not work again, insisting that Congress must have the autonomy to decide the seats it contests.

Demand for Equal Respect and Seat Sharing

Masood strongly conveyed that any future alliance between SP and Congress must be based on mutual respect and equality. He stated, “The days of SP treating Congress unfairly are over,” highlighting that Congress will not tolerate being assigned seats where it is destined to lose. This blunt critique hints at previous dissatisfaction within Congress ranks, where the party believed it was given a marginal role, affecting its growth and electoral prospects.

The Congress leader revealed that the party is preparing to contest all 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh independently if required, showing its readiness to go solo rather than stay in a partnership that undermines its position. Masood emphasized that the Congress leadership alone will decide seat-sharing terms, and SP will have no say in it.

Criticism of SP and Alliance Impact

Masood also took a pointed dig at the Samajwadi Party, suggesting that the alliance was actually damaging Congress’s prospects rather than helping. He described the alliance dynamics as harmful, contrasting the BJP’s approach of “eating up” its allies with what he called the unfortunate reality of Congress being "eaten up" by its allies.

Despite these tensions, Masood rejected the notion that a split between Congress and SP in Uttar Pradesh would benefit the BJP by splitting the Muslim vote. Instead, he expressed strong confidence in Rahul Gandhi's leadership as the most credible force capable of challenging the BJP in the state.

Rahul Gandhi as the Opposition Flagbearer

Masood painted a vivid metaphor to describe the political climate, stating that when there is a “storm at sea,” it is the ships (large parties like Congress) that weather it, not small boats. He called on everyone to rally behind Rahul Gandhi and Congress, asserting that the party remains the only true alternative to BJP in the country’s politically turbulent times.

Political Implications for 2027 Uttar Pradesh Elections

This unfolding scenario suggests that Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape is gearing up for a complex and possibly fractured contest in 2027, with Congress eager to assert a stronger presence. The demand for a reset in alliance terms reflects broader ambitions of Congress to regain influence in the crucial state.

If Congress and SP do go separate ways, it could reshape electoral strategies and voter equations, possibly impacting the BJP’s approach as well. The coming months and years will be crucial as party leaders negotiate and finalize alliances and seat-sharing arrangements.

In conclusion, the fractured relationship between Congress and SP ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections marks a significant political development. Congress’s assertive stance for equality and independence signals a new phase in UP’s electoral politics. With Rahul Gandhi positioned as the key challenger to BJP, the battle for Uttar Pradesh’s political future promises to be intense and closely watched by political analysts and voters alike.

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