As the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress continue to negotiate seat-sharing for the Uttar Pradesh bypolls, SP president Akhilesh Yadav announced on Thursday that efforts are underway for INDIA bloc to contest elections together in Maharashtra.
He is scheduled to travel to Maharashtra on Friday for discussions regarding seat-sharing, expressing optimism that a decision will be reached soon.
While addressing journalists, Yadav reiterated the unity and strength of the INDIA bloc. When asked about the Maharashtra assembly elections, he stated: “I am going to Maharashtra tomorrow... We will strive to contest alongside the INDIA bloc. We have requested seats and hope to increase our representation from the two MLAs we currently have.”
Yadav emphasised that seat-sharing discussions in Maharashtra are expected to conclude soon, and he expressed confidence that similar negotiations in UP would also be resolved shortly.
He is set to embark on a two-day visit to Maharashtra, with programmes planned in Malegaon and Dhule, where he will engage with the public.
The SP is actively working to expand its influence beyond UP, indicating that it may contest elections as part of the INDIA bloc.
The party claims a significant presence in 30 seats but is particularly focused on 10-12 constituencies, notably those with sizeable Muslim populations and migrants from UP.
Reports suggest that the SP may secure 3-4 seats in the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.
Currently, the SP holds two MLAs in the Maharashtra assembly: Abu Azmi from Shivaji Nagar and Raees Sheikh from Bhiwandi.
Recently, Yadav convened a meeting with Maharashtra unit leaders in Lucknow to strategise for the upcoming elections.
Should the SP officially join the INDIA bloc, Yadav is expected to actively campaign in Maharashtra.
In response, SP MLA Abu Azmi took to X, stating, “If any party within the Mahavikas Aghadi—be it Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party, or Shiv Sena—issues an assembly candidate list without consulting the Samajwadi Party, it indicates that they do not regard us as a part of the Mahavikas Aghadi. It would be inappropriate for any party to announce candidates without our involvement, especially when the objective of the Mahavikas Aghadi is to unite all secular forces against the communal government. Therefore, I seek permission from our National President Akhilesh Yadav to contest as many seats as possible in the assemblies where we are strong, regardless of the election outcome.”
Additionally, the Samajwadi Party has announced candidates for six seats in the upcoming by-elections in UP.
Tej Pratap Yadav will contest from the Karhal assembly seat, which became vacant when Akhilesh Yadav was elected MP.
Other candidates include Naseem Solanki from Sisamau, Mustafa Siddiqui from Phulpur, Ajit Prasad from Milkipur, Shobhavati Verma from Katehari, and Dr Jyoti Bind from Manjhwa.
