SP-Congress Alliance Strain: BJP Targets Allies as Akhilesh Yadav Skips INDIA Bloc Meeting

BJP MP Giriraj Singh has criticised the alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, saying the two parties have come together because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh described the tie-up as an “unnatural alliance” and questioned whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi could contest Uttar Pradesh independently. His remarks come amid signs of disagreement between the two parties over seat-sharing and campaign strategy. The Congress and SP have continued to describe themselves as allies for the upcoming election, although differences over the timing and terms of seat-sharing have become increasingly visible.

Singh’s comments followed criticism from NDA ally and Union minister Anupriya Patel, who recently referred to the relationship between the two parties by saying, “Dil mile na mile, haath mil rahe hai” (Whether hearts meet or not, hands are joining). Patel was referring to what she described as a lack of coordination between the Congress and SP despite their stated intention to contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh polls together. Singh similarly questioned the basis of the alliance and said the two parties were relying on their association rather than contesting independently. These remarks represent the BJP and NDA’s political interpretation of the differences between the two opposition parties.

The differences have also been visible around the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on September 30. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has said he will not attend the meeting and that senior party leaders will represent the Samajwadi Party instead. Yadav has cited other political engagements and said he had spoken to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge about his absence. However, reports have also linked his decision to the ongoing disagreement over seat-sharing, with Congress pushing for discussions on the number of seats and constituencies while the SP has indicated that it wants to assess candidates and regional factors before finalising an arrangement.

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The September 30 meeting is primarily expected to focus on the Opposition’s response to the Election Commission and concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Several INDIA bloc parties have been discussing a coordinated response and possible action concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Akhilesh Yadav’s absence has nevertheless attracted attention because of the parallel discussions between the SP and Congress over their electoral understanding in Uttar Pradesh. Senior SP leaders are expected to attend the meeting in his place, according to reports.

Tensions between the two parties also increased after Akhilesh Yadav launched his PDA Rath Yatra from Raebareli, an area associated with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Congress leaders subsequently indicated that the party would also campaign in constituencies regarded as SP strongholds. SP veteran Shivpal Yadav responded by saying Congress leaders could visit areas such as Etawah and Mainpuri but would not necessarily receive votes there. The exchange highlighted the competing efforts by both parties to expand their organisational presence ahead of the 2027 election, even as they continue to discuss an alliance.

The immediate issue for the SP and Congress remains the structure of their proposed electoral arrangement, including the number of seats each party would contest and the constituencies involved. The Congress has been seeking an early agreement, while the SP has indicated that it wants to examine its own candidate strength and local political equations before settling the issue. Against this backdrop, BJP and NDA leaders have continued to highlight the disagreements between the two allies. The September 30 INDIA bloc meeting is expected to provide another indication of how the wider Opposition grouping plans to coordinate, while separate negotiations between the SP and Congress will determine the shape of their Uttar Pradesh alliance.

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