Congress not to contest UP bypolls after ally SP offers only two seats: Reports

New Delhi: In a major political development, Congress has reportedly declined to contest the Uttar Pradesh bypolls. The Samajwadi Party (SP) had offered Congress two seats—Ghaziabad and Khair—in the bypolls, but given the very low chances of winning either seat, Congress decided against contesting. The SP may also contest these two seats, having already announced candidates for six of the nine available.

Congress informed the SP that it would not contest the elections, noting that these seats have historically posed challenges, with Congress not winning them for several decades. Despite this, the SP offered its support to Congress for these two seats.

Congress urges SP to contest the entire UP bypolls

The decision and the offers made are partially influenced by the upcoming Maharashtra elections. Congress is urging the SP to contest the entire Uttar Pradesh bypolls and, in return, is asking the SP to either refrain from contesting in Maharashtra or to limit its campaign to just one or two seats, thereby supporting Congress.

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While these offers have been extended to the Samajwadi Party, the SP is currently denying any official acceptance. In Maharashtra, the SP holds two MLAs and aims to contest 12 seats this time, having already announced candidates for five of them.

Following Congress’ defeat in the Haryana assembly elections, the party has found itself on the back foot. In contrast, the enthusiasm of other parties in the INDIA bloc, particularly the Samajwadi Party, is at an all-time high.

Nine assembly seats up for grabs in bypolls

Nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh are set to vote in the by-elections: Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Phulpur, Katehari, Majhawan, and Sishamau. The counting of votes will take place on November 23, coinciding with elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

All nine seats became vacant after their MLAs were elected as MPs in the Lok Sabha polls, while the Sisamau seat is up for bypolls due to the disqualification of Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki, who was convicted in a criminal case.