UP Polls: Akhilesh Yadav To Give 36 Seats To RLD, 6 Of These To Have SP Candidates; Reports
During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the political situation in the western part of the state with no aides present
Mumbai: According to a report, for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, the Samajwadi Party has almost finalised its seat-sharing arrangement with Rashtriya Lok Dal.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav reportedly has agreed to give 36 seats to the Jayant Chaudhary’s RLD, as per highly-placed sources. The decision was made at their meeting on Tuesday evening in Lucknow, reported news agency IANS.
On six of these seats, the candidates will be from the Samajwadi Party, but they will be contesting under the RLD symbol. “The arrangement works well because the cadres of both parties feel a sense of involvement with the candidate,” explained an SP leader.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the political situation in the western part of the state after the Centre decided to repeal farm laws, with no aides present. Political experts say that in western Uttar Pradesh, RLD commands a much stronger position, especially after Jayant Chaudhary’s participation in the farmers’ agitation.
Despite being in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, RLD released its manifesto last month for the Assembly polls, but a common minimum programme will be developed if the government is constituted.
“In any case, all parties that are in alliance with the SP have their focus on weak, deprived sections of society and farmers and youth. The agenda of all parties is almost the same,” the SP leader said.
However, there is a possibility that the alliance will not be announced officially. “What announcement is needed now? We have already been in alliance with the SP since the 2019 elections and it is simply seat-sharing that is to be announced,” said RLD spokesman Rohit Agarwal.
Following the meeting, the two leaders tweeted their photographs.
Akhilesh wrote, “Shri Jayant Chaudhary ke saath, badlav ki ore (Heading for a change along with Jayant Chaudhary)”, while the RLD chief tweeted: “badte kadam” (moving forward).
Jayant and Akhilesh share a camaraderie that is uncommon among politicians today, according to sources. The alliance is likely to gain considerable ground in western Uttar Pradesh.
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections are scheduled to take place early next year.
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