All parties have started preparing strategies for next year’s Uttar Pradesh assembly election. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav responded to questions about alliances. During an event in Lucknow on Monday, May 19, he said future elections will continue with partners. However, he made one point clear. The formula will not revolve around seat sharing. Instead, the alliance will focus on winning elections.
Rahul Gandhi Campaign Question Comes Up
At a dialogue programme in Lucknow, Akhilesh faced another direct question. Reporters asked whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and he would campaign together in upcoming elections. In response, Akhilesh said his party has wide experience in running alliances. Moreover, he said SP always ensures that its partners also benefit from such arrangements.
Akhilesh, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, then explained his party’s record. He said, “We have made many alliances. We have experience of alliances. Samajwadi Party has always ensured benefits for its partners. We have never betrayed anyone. The alliance that exists today will continue ahead.” Therefore, he projected continuity with existing allies.
Victory, Not Seats, Will Shape Talks
Akhilesh also said future alliance discussions will not centre on bargaining for seats. Instead, those talks will focus on securing electoral success. He repeated the same formula that he mentioned during the Lok Sabha election. According to him, the main issue then was not seats. The main issue was victory.
He further said, “There will be no question of seats in the alliance. During the Lok Sabha election too, I had said that the issue is not seats. The issue is victory. The same formula will work again. The question will not concern seats. The question will concern victory.” Thus, Akhilesh placed winning above seat arithmetic.
SP Says It Knows Alliance Management
Akhilesh also faced a question about the INDIA alliance. The question pointed out that the alliance failed to maintain similar arrangements across several states. However, Akhilesh answered with confidence. He said his party knows how to sustain an alliance. With that response, he underlined SP’s experience in managing partners during elections.
