DIVYA DELHI : Congress has reportedly set its sights on contesting around 170 seats in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, a demand that has raised questions within the Samajwadi Party over the basis of the claim. The proposed seat-sharing formula is expected to become a key issue in discussions between the two parties as they look to strengthen their electoral strategy in the politically crucial state. Congress leaders are believed to be seeking a significantly larger share of seats, arguing that the party needs adequate representation to rebuild its organisation and expand its presence across Uttar Pradesh. However, the Samajwadi Party remains cautious, with its leadership pointing to Congress’s electoral performance in the 2022 Assembly elections. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh polls, Congress contested 403 seats but won only two, securing a vote share of around 2.3 per cent. The party’s limited tally has reportedly made the SP hesitant to accept such a large demand without detailed negotiations. The Samajwadi Party, which emerged as the principal opposition force in the 2022 election, is expected to push for a seat-sharing arrangement based on winnability, organisational strength and local political equations. The negotiations could gain importance as both parties seek to avoid division of anti-BJP votes. The final seat-sharing formula will depend on several rounds of discussions, with both sides expected to balance their respective political ambitions with the broader objective of presenting a united opposition in Uttar Pradesh.
