Exclusive/ SP-Cong Ties Officially Ending? In Another Jolt to INDI Bloc, Akhilesh Refuses to Join RaGa's Yatra

Lucknow: With Lok Sabha Elections 2024 around corner, Samajwi Party Chief Akhilesh Yav on Sunday snubbed Congress Party by announcing his refusal to join Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Bharat Jodo ’Nyay' Yatra, in Hindi heartland of Uttar Presh, Republic has learnt. Earlier this month, Yav h taken a dig at Rahul Gandhi-led Yatra, claiming that he wasn't invited. 

Pointing towards a deepening rift within Opposition's Indian National Developmental Inclusive (INDI) Alliance, Yav h said that many big events take place, but Samajwi leer was not invited. “Many big events are organised, but we are not invited,” SP supremo h said, just days before he was extended an invitation by senior Congress leer Mallikarjun Kharge to join UP-leg of yatra.

Noteworthily, amid visible cracks in INDI bloc and high drama ensuing on seat-sharing, Yav h unilaterally announced 11 seats for Congress in upcoming general elections. Multiple reports, however, suggested that Congress h expressed desire to contest on more seats, and that two sides were engaged in a discussion. 

Interestingly, in last Lok Sabha elections, Congress h contested 67 out of a total of 80 seats, but party could only win one - Rae Bareli seat from where Sonia Gandhi h fought. Samajwi Party, on or hand, h contested polls by forging an alliance with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and fielding candidates on 37 seats, out of which it won only five.