Lok Sabha Polls: Congress demands 20 seats in Uttar Pradesh; Samajwadi Party finds it 'unreasonable'
Uttar Pradesh from Samajwadi Party, a demand which the regional party found 'unreasonable'. The two parties are likely to meet again on Thursday to take talks forward, according to some leaders.
According to people present at the second formal round of seat-sharing talks on Wednesday, Congress and SP discussed a seat-sharing formula and agreed 'winnability' should be the main criterion for deciding which party gets which seat. Congress won only Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in 2019.
A senior leader, who did not wish to be identified, told ET: «The exact number of seats were discussed.
Congress has sought 20 seats. The list of seats was also discussed. Both parties have decided to meet again, and hold talks seat by seat.» There was no discussion on an alliance with BSP or RLD.
A senior leader said, «RLD is Samajwadi Party's ally. It is clear that any alliance talk of RLD will be with Samajwadi Party and not Congress.» RLD has already held talks with SP. Though Mayawati has announced that BSP would contest elections alone, Congress is keen on a grand alliance in UP because it feels that it is the only way the Opposition could give BJP a tough contest.
In 2019, BJP secured 49.56% vote share, BSP 19.26%, SP 17.96% and Congress 6.31%.
