Lucknow, October 24, 2026: Seat-sharing negotiations between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) are emerging as a major political challenge ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. According to media reports, Congress is seeking a substantial share of seats, while the SP may be considering offering its alliance partner only 60–70 constituencies.
The reported differences highlight the difficult negotiations facing the two INDIA bloc partners as they attempt to build a united opposition challenge against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the reported 60–70-seat offer has not been officially confirmed by either party.
Congress Seeks a Bigger Share of Seats
Congress is reportedly seeking to contest more than 200 seats in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly, according to reports citing party sources. The party believes its improved performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has strengthened its position within the opposition alliance.
In the 2024 general elections, Congress won six Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, while the Samajwadi Party secured 37. Their combined performance significantly improved the opposition’s position against the BJP in the state.
Congress leaders are now looking to build on that momentum by contesting constituencies where the party believes it has a realistic chance of winning.
According to a report by ThePrint citing the Press Trust of India (PTI), Congress has submitted an initial list covering 175–200 Assembly constituencies to the SP for discussions. The list is intended to form the basis of negotiations rather than represent a final seat-sharing agreement.
Why the Samajwadi Party May Resist the Demand
The Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, is reportedly reluctant to allocate such a large number of constituencies to Congress. Reports suggest the regional party may prefer to contest the majority of seats itself, potentially limiting Congress to around 60–70 constituencies.
The SP’s position is understood to be influenced by its organisational presence across Uttar Pradesh and its performance in previous Assembly elections. The party is also expected to prioritise candidates with strong local support and a credible chance of winning.
The two parties must therefore balance Congress’s ambition to expand its footprint with the SP’s desire to maintain its leading position in the opposition alliance.
Nevertheless, the reported seat allocation remains speculative, and the final arrangement will depend on negotiations between the party leaderships.
Akhilesh Yadav Emphasises Opposition Unity
Amid speculation over the seat-sharing formula, Akhilesh Yadav has stressed the importance of strengthening the alliance to challenge the BJP in the next Assembly elections.
On October 23, Yadav said the common objective of Congress, the SP and the INDIA bloc was to remove the BJP from power in Uttar Pradesh. He also expressed confidence that the alliance would move forward effectively.
Yadav has separately dismissed speculation about the precise number of seats being discussed, arguing that public claims about the negotiations do not necessarily reflect the actual position.
His remarks indicate that, despite differences over constituency allocation, the SP leadership is publicly maintaining its commitment to opposition unity.
Congress Faces a Political Calculation
For Congress, the negotiations represent an opportunity to rebuild its organisation in Uttar Pradesh, where its Assembly election performance has weakened considerably over the past several decades.
The party won just two seats in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections when it contested independently. It had won seven seats in 2017, when it fought in alliance with the SP.
The improved performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has encouraged Congress to seek a more significant role in the state’s political contest. However, securing a large number of constituencies will require the party to demonstrate its strength at the Assembly level, including the availability of competitive candidates and a functioning grassroots organisation.
The SP, meanwhile, will have to consider whether a larger allocation to Congress could help consolidate anti-BJP votes or whether contesting more seats itself would offer a better electoral advantage.
What the Seat-Sharing Dispute Means for UP Elections 2027
Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha, remains one of India’s most politically significant states. The outcome of the 2027 Assembly elections could influence the political standing of the BJP, Congress and regional opposition parties ahead of subsequent national electoral contests.
A successful Congress-SP agreement could help the opposition coordinate campaigns and avoid vote division in closely contested constituencies. On the other hand, prolonged disagreements over seat allocation could create friction between the allies and complicate their preparations.
The reported difference between Congress’s ambitions and the SP’s possible offer illustrates the challenge of negotiating an alliance between a national party seeking to regain ground and a regional party with a stronger Assembly-level presence.
For now, the reported 60–70-seat offer remains unconfirmed. The key question is whether Congress and the Samajwadi Party can reach a mutually acceptable formula that prioritises electoral winnability while preserving opposition unity ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections.
