‘Any party but SP’: UP Cong’s ‘overwhelming sentiment’ for 2024 poll alliance

“Party leaders say that SP does not stand a chance to gather significant vote share either among Hindus or Muslims. In 2022 (Assembly polls), all those who supported them saw that the party could not succeed against the BJP. Party leaders felt that it is better to maintain distance from the SP considering public sentiment. Even Muslims saw that in 2022…Akhilesh Yadav did not give prominence to Muslim leaders during his public meetings. Their vote bank is shifting,” said Khabri.

Asked if the Congress leaders and workers suggested that the party fight alone, Khabri said, “Aisa nahi hai, Uttar Pradesh mein SP ko chhor ke kisi se bhi” (It is not like they suggested that Congress should go all alone, instead the sentiment is that any ally except SP in UP).”

Some Congress leaders, who attended the meeting, indicated that a large section of the party, especially its veterans, believes that the 2017 Assembly election alliance with the SP had “hindered” the party’s chances for revival in the state.

Calling the 2017 alliance a “practical experiment”, Khabri said, “Experiments fail. When they do, doubts are created if the decision should be taken in the future or not.”

He added that the “public has noticed how the SP leadership did not stand with the Congress during the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) protests”.

Khabri said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra had “given hope to the party cadre” in UP and that it could translate into votes. Party sources also indicated that Rahul’s engagement in the state could energise the cadre and revive the party.

Khabri added that the party was looking at consolidating its Dalit-Muslim support base and revive the BSP’s slogan, Dalit Musalman Karo Vichar, Kabtak Sahoge Atyachar. (Dalits and Muslims, start thinking, for how long would you continue to face atrocities?).

On the buzz in the Congress about the possibility of the party exploring an alliance with the BSP instead, Khabri said the decision only rested with the party high command. “If you ask me personally, even if such an alliance takes place, it cannot last long,” he added.