Akhilesh Yadav: Alliance with Congress is a waste of time
It seems former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav has taken his 2017 assembly polls' loss quite hard. The SP chief had teamed up with Congress for the polls. However, after the embarrassing wash-out, Yadav is not interested in an alliance "as of now." He termed the exercise of talks/seat negotiations "a waste of time." Instead, his present priority is to strengthen the party's organization.
How was the SP-Congress alliance stitched?
The SP-Congress tie-up was sealed barely a few days before the elections. But, why did they align? SP's Yadav, who had just emerged victorious in a bitter family feud, felt that the alliance would consolidate the Muslim vote. This comprised of 19% of the electorate and was gravitating towards Mayawati. Congress, which had no support base in UP, hoped to ride on Yadav's popularity.
Was the process of forging an alliance smooth?
Apparently, the SP-Congress alliance was "unnatural." Both parties are ideologically/socially incompatible. SP cadres have been nurtured on anti-Congressism. What's more, SP hoped to get Brahmins' support; Brahmins are known to be partial to Congress. But, historically Brahmins and Yadavs have had an uneasy relation. These shortcomings, indicated by Congress's senior leaders, were ignored. The parties also reached the seat-sharing formula after wrangling for days.
What does Akhilesh have to say now?
Now, after the SP-Congress combine was trounced with BJP winning 325 of 405 seats in UP assembly, Akhilesh has had an epiphany. He says that "2019 (LS) election is certainly crucial as the message from Uttar Pradesh will go out to the entire country." He added that he is presently not thinking of an alliance. But, he is open to "friendship" with "like-minded" parties.
So, what are Akhilesh's plans for SP in 2019?
Now, for 2019, Akhilesh will fire up the workers. Apart from a humiliating loss, SP also witnessed in-fighting affecting party-members' morale. He will undertake a rath yatra across UP. He declared that SP will contest LS polls where its organization is strong. This includes MP, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and probably Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. He remarked, "SP is the only party which can stop BJP."
Meanwhile, Akhilesh slams Yogi's government
Moreover, while discussing about 2017's defeat, Akhilesh claimed that BJP had fooled people. Slamming CM Yogi Adityanath's government, Yadav said, "The Yogi-government has failed. They are just carrying forward our work by putting their plaques." He advised Yogi to demand a hefty package from Centre if he wants to fulfill BJP's poll promises and ensure development.
