Inside The story of Akhilesh Yadav-Congress alliance, Priyanka Gandhi’s starring role
As Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has confirmed that alliance talks with the Congress are ongoing in Uttar Pradesh, sources tell India Today TV about how both parties reached an agreement.
Sources revealed that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra initiated the conversation and spoke to Akhilesh Yadav after discussing the matter with Rahul Gandhi.
The talks moved forward after the Congress gave up their demand for the Moradabad seat and instead asked for Sitapur, Shravasti, and Varanasi.
“All is well that ends well…there is no dispute…there will be an alliance,” Akhilesh Yadav said when asked about his absence from Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Amethi and Rae Bareli.
He had on Monday said that he would join Rahul Gandhi’s yatra only after seat sharing was finalised.
Congress is likely to contest in Amethi, Rae Bareli, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Maharajganj, Deoria, Bansgaon, Sitapur, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Jhansi, Barabanki, Fatehpur Sikri, Saharanpur, and Mathura seats.
Both parties are likely to hold a joint press conference soon to formally announce the alliance.
On January 30, the Samajwadi Party announced its first list of candidates for 16 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. On Monday, the party declared 11 candidates, and on Tuesday, it declared five candidates, fielding Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle, Shivpal Yadav, from Budaun.
