Congress and Samajwadi Party getting into a pre-poll pact for Uttar Pradesh Assembly, ending days of suspense and feverish parleys, with compulsions of realpolitik forcing the two parties to come together to thwart BJP’s attempt to storm back to power after 15 years, which at one stage looked doomed with both sides driving a hard bargain, was announced by the chiefs of the state units of the two parties who declared while SP will have the lion’s share of 298 of 403 seats, Congress will contest the remaining 105. It looks the Congress is trying to test the waters of Uttar Pradesh and to see its mass base is intact or not. The credit for getting such a political tie-up goes to the Congress-trouble shooter none-else than Ghulam Nabi Azad who is an old hand as far as guiding Congress through bad-times is concerned. Regarding Priyanka Gandhi it is the Gandhi legacy she is carrying. Congress General Secretary Azad is incharge of UP. No doubt Priyanka will be concentrating on Amethi and Rae Bareli parliamentary seats represented by her brother Rahul and mother Sonia respectively but Azad has whole of the Uttar Pradesh comprising 103 seats to look after. The peoples’ verdict will tell on the fortunes of Congress Party in future and will no doubt see some of Azad’s political acumen to steer out of difficult situations. At one time the alliance was almost over and SP leaders blamed Congress for its “stubborn” attitude for the deadlock. One of the reasons for the delay in announcement of the tie-up was reportedly Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s unhappiness over Congress leadership sending light-weight emissaries like election strategist Prashant Kishor for talks. Though ideologically different both share a common thought of keeping BJP out, as far as possible, from the UP turf under the garb of social justice and development, peace and good atmosphere. For Congress this could be the largest number of seats it would be contesting for Assembly elections especially when its stocks are down. The SP hopes to puncture BJP’s prospects in UP. It is very clear that the party would struggle to make an impact on its own. To improve its tally, the Congress is looking for partners for a piggyback ride. But will the alliance work wonders in Uttar Pradesh?
