Blue-Sky thinking: Will SP-BSP join hands with Congress? or Congress go alone

Published: Feb 11, 2019, 2:40 pm IST

As Congress changing its tone and become more aggressive in Uttar Pradesh with a further boost of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s visit in Lucknow on Monday, the mahagathbandhan SP-BSP alliance may forced to rethink over ‘congress Role.’
Highly placed sources In Samajwadi Party have told UNI here on Monday that they are willing to reconsider on the ‘ Congress question’, amidst fast changing ‘ political situation’ on the ground.
SP-BSP alliance is keenly watching the emerging Congress factor. Contrary to earlier perception Congress seems to be more aggressive and serious about the UP aspect. Priyanka’s entry had added further strength to it.
Changing Political dynamics on ground has forced top strategists of the SP-BSP alliance in considering about a possible Congress role in larger opposition understanding against the BJP on 80 seats of UP.
Highly placed sources say feelers have already been sent through back channels about exploring a possible understanding with Congress on around 14 seats including Rai Bareli and Amethi seats.
Idea is to stop division of Non-BJP votes in selected seats where congress can make incremental gains, the leader said.
A senior leader of SP leader says ‘ Things are depend upon how Congress deals with BSP Chief mayawati. If Mayawati is convinced, Akhilesh will not have any major issue to understanding with the Congress.”
However, SP-BSP both are at the moment in ‘wait and watch’ mode.
A Lot will depend upon how congress intends to move forward as Priyanka leads the charge from the front.
But it will be interesting to recall that last month Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s statement in which he clearly said he has love and respect for Mayawati and Akhilesh. “Congress is willing to engage in talks if the leaders approach it,” he had said.
Fact that SP-BSP have yet not declared the candidates and are now expected to do so only by mid March and it gives further rise to strong possibility of an understanding or alliance.

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