Congress leader and MP Tanuj Punia has made a significant statement, marking a new turn in Uttar Pradesh politics. He declared that the Congress is prepared for, and has previously been willing to pursue, an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
Lucknow: Amidst the formation of an opposition alliance to challenge the BJP before the Lok Sabha elections, Tanuj Punia, the Uttar Pradesh Congress's Scheduled Caste department head and MP, revealed that the Congress had previously been, and remains, open to an alliance with the BSP. He claimed in a conversation with reporters on Saturday that Congress General Secretary Priyanka Vadra Gandhi had repeatedly requested a meeting with BSP chief Mayawati, but the meeting couldn't materialize. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has also confirmed this.
Congress Aims for 100 Seats in 2027 Assembly Elections
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Punia stated that the Congress will contest 100 seats in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. However, he clarified that the final decision rests with the top leadership of both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP). He also asserted that an alliance between the Congress and the SP is already in place, and efforts are ongoing to include the BSP as well.
Punia emphasized that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is carrying forward the legacy of social justice championed by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram. He highlighted the Congress's demand for a caste census to raise awareness about the rights of Dalits and other marginalized communities. He claimed that inclusive development will be promoted by implementing the principle of "proportionate representation based on population size".
Uproar at Congress Holi Milan Samaroh
During the Congress's Holi Milan Samaroh (Holi gathering), worker discontent surfaced openly. Significant opposition arose particularly concerning the appointment of Shivendr Pratap Singh as the new district president of Bahraich. Workers accused Singh of having close ties with BJP leaders. Angry workers chanted slogans like "Save Bahraich, Drive out RSS" and attempted to stop Avinash Pandey's vehicle, the state in-charge. The protest escalated with some workers lying down in front of the vehicle, creating a tense situation.
Dissatisfaction in Other Districts, Questions Raised about Congress Leadership
Similar dissatisfaction with the leadership emerged in other districts, including Gonda's district president Ram Pratap Singh, Sitapur's district president Dr. Mamta Verma, and Gorakhpur's city president. Workers questioned the Congress leadership's decisions, alleging that the backgrounds of the newly appointed presidents weren't properly investigated.
This new Congress strategy and its attempts to include the BSP in an alliance could significantly alter the political landscape of UP. If successful, this alliance could pose a serious challenge to the BJP in the 2027 elections.
