Signs of strain in INDIA bloc as some Cong members moot going solo in UP polls

Times News NetworkLucknow: Signs of strain are noticeable within the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh with a section of senior Congress members preparing to persuade the party high command to go solo in the state polls due in early 2027.The move comes contrary to the general perception that the Congress and Samajwadi Party – two key constituents of the INDIA bloc in UP – will contest the assembly elections as alliance partners.Interestingly, Congress and the SP had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as allies of the INDIA bloc and together won six and 37 seats, respectively.UP Congress members said the sentiment of fellow members has been communicated to the party brass. “Some top functionaries will meet the party high command and communicate the sentiments of the party members in the state,” a senior Congress functionary told TOI.“The alliance with SP will serve the purpose of BJP which relies on divisive politics and polarisation on religious grounds. Once we fall in their trap, the real issues of development, employment, welfare and corruption, which impact the life of people, will lose steam,” he said.Another senior Congressman said the noticeable presence of party functionaries on the ground across the state on important issues concerning the common man has changed the ground realities.“Our functionaries have been visiting the victims of crime across the state, have staged protests against the failures of BJP govt while the SP cadre have lost contact with ground zero. Things have changed drastically in the recent past,” said another senior party functionary.Expectedly, SP remained cautious in its response over the development. “In UP, we have been together as a part of the INDIA bloc,” said senior SP member and former MLC Udaiveer Singh.On UP Congress opting to go solo in UP polls, he said if there was any such sentiment, it was Congress’ internal issue. He said for SP INDIA bloc was very much intact – a sentiment that was aired by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav at a recent press conference where he said that SP will contest the 2027 polls under the INDIA bloc.“There is a possibility that the Congress top leadership may not have taken their UP members in confidence about the INDIA bloc’s composition,” Singh said.A section of SP functionaries see the Congress sentiment of going solo in UP polls as a move pushed by some “pro BJP” individuals within the grand old party. “In the light of this development, Congress members trying to meet BSP chief Mayawati (last month) makes much more sense,” said a senior SP functionary.