"INDIA bloc intact in UP": Akhilesh Yadav amid speculations of rift in INDIA bloc ahead of by-polls

After offering tribute on the second death anniversary of Samajwadi party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav addressed the media in which he told about the current scenario of alliance in UP by-elections.

"INDIA bloc is intact in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party and Congress will fight together in the upcoming UP by-elections," Akhilesh said.

On October 9, the SP announced candidates on six seats of by-elections i.e., Karhal, Sisamau, Katheri, Phuplpur, Milkipur and Majhwa.

Soon after the announcement, Congress State Incharge Avinash Pandey said that no information was given to them about it and no discussion was held with the coordination committee of the INDIA bloc.

"It is true that no information was given to us about it. There has been no discussion with the coordination committee of the INDIA alliance yet. As far as the announcement of seats and contesting elections is concerned, whatever decision the Coordination Committee of INDIA alliance takes, it will be accepted by the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee. We are not overconfident in Uttar Pradesh but are fully confident and due to this, along with strengthening and empowering the organization, the work of election preparation has also started. Possibilities (of alliance) always remain till the end, it cannot be denied," Pandey said.

Speaking on it, UP Congress President Ajay Rai said, "Whatever in-charge (Avinash Pandey) has said will be done. The central leadership will take the final call. The alliance (with Samajwadi Party) will remain as usual."

Meanwhile, bye-elections for 10 assembly seats in UP are expected later this year.

The ten assembly seats scheduled for by-polls are Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Ghaziabad, Majhawan (Mirzapur), Sisamau (Kanpur Nagar), Karhal (Mainpuri), Milkipur (Ayodhya), Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar), Khair (Aligarh), Phulpur (Prayagraj), and Kundarki (Moradabad).

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya stated that the BJP is well-prepared for the by-polls and is confident of regaining its seats, as well as potentially capturing those held by the Samajwadi Party.

"BJP is preparing rigorously from the booth level to the Vidhan Sabha level across all 10 constituencies. We are confident of not only reclaiming our seats but also capturing seats currently held by the Samajwadi Party," Maurya said.

Out of the ten seats going to the polls, five were previously won by the Samajwadi Party, three by the BJP, and one each by the Rashtriya Lok Dal and Nishad Party, both of which are NDA partners. (ANI)