Amid heightening tensions with the Samajwadi Party (SP), after a near breakdown of seat sharing talks for neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, the Congress’s Uttar Pradesh chief, Ajay Rai, on Tuesday said the party does not rely on anyone’s ‘mercy’. Mr. Rai added the Congress is strengthening its organisation on the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh for the 2024 general election.
The statement holds significance given the SP’s declaration that it will be a major player within the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, and would decide on seat distribution in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking with The Hindu, U.P. Congress leaders said Mr. Rai clearly meant that the grand old party is strengthening itself to make sure the Opposition alliance emerges victorious.
“What the State president meant is that we are relying on any party’s ‘mercy’ and aim to strengthen our organisational structure on all the 80 seats in the State,” said Anil Yadav, U.P. Congress organisation secretary.
