Lucknow, Nov 24, : The Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), have almost completed seat-sharing for the upcoming Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh. Highly placed sources claim that SP president Akhilesh Yodav met with Jayant Chaudhary, RLD president, on Tuesday night in Lucknow and agreed to give 36 seats for the RLD.
Six of these seats will be filled by candidates from the Samajwadi Party, but they will be contesting on the RLD symbol.
Similar arrangements were seen in Kairana during the 2018 Lok Sabha By-election when Tabassum Hasan from Samajwadi Party contested on RLD ticket.
According to a leader of the SP, “The arrangement works because both parties’ cadres feel a sense that they are involved with the candidate.”
Political experts claim that the RLD is better positioned in western Uttar Pradesh after the farmers’ agitation, in which Jayant Chaudhary actively took part.
The meeting was held without any aides and the leaders also discussed the political situation of the western part the state following the Centre’s decision not to repeal farm laws.
Discussions were also held on a common minimum program, even though the RLD released its manifesto last week.
It was decided that parties in alliance with the Samajwadi Party may release their own manifestos to the Assembly polls.However, a common minimum program will be developed when it comes time for the government formation.
“In all cases, all parties who are in alliance with SP have their focus on the weak, deprived sections and farmers as well as youth.”The agenda of all parties are almost the same,” said the SP leader.
However, it is possible that there will not be a formal announcement about the alliance.
“What announcement is required now?” “We have been in alliance with SP already since the 2019 elections, and it is just seat sharing that will be announced,” Rohit Agarwal (RLD spokesperson) said.
Jayant Chaudhary and Akhilesh Yadav are likely to hold a rally in western Uttar Pradesh.The date and time of the event is still to be determined.
After the meeting, the leaders took photos and tweeted them.
Akhilesh wrote: “Shri Jayant Chaudhary, badlav Ki ore (Hearing for a change together with Jayant Chaudhary), while the RLD chief replied with’saath-saath challenge’ (will walk together) as well as ‘badtekadam’ (moving forward).
These tweets clearly stated that the deal was done.
Sources claim that Jayant and Akhilesh share a camaraderie not seen in politicians these days.
They have been on the same page regarding key political issues in recent years and the alliance is likely make significant gains in western Uttar Pradesh.
amita/dpb #agreed #Akhilesh #filled #candis #IANS #Special
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