New Delhi, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A fresh war of words between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress has intensified discussions over the shape of their alliance ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with Congress MP Imran Masood saying his party was “not begging” for an alliance with the Akhilesh Yadav-led party.
The latest exchange followed remarks by SP MP Iqra Hasan, who said that Akhilesh Yadav was the only leader capable of defeating the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and that Congress could not achieve much on its own. Her comments triggered a response from Congress leaders.
Reacting to Hasan’s remarks, Masood told IANS, “…then don’t form an alliance. Who is asking for it? Are we begging anyone? Let everyone do what they want. When a wedding procession sets out, there are many drummers, as well as people who dance and sing. Let these people dance and sing. We are focussed on our work.”
Masood had earlier asserted that Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was the only Opposition voice with a nationwide reach capable of challenging the BJP, adding to the differences in messaging between the two alliance partners.
The Congress MP also responded to remarks attributed to SP MLA Shivpal Yadav, who reportedly said that Congress would not secure votes in SP strongholds such as Etawah, Mainpuri and Saifai.
“That may be his view; the Congress is focussed on its work. What Shivpal Yadav is saying has become irrelevant within his own party. If he says this to his leader, then it will have some significance; otherwise not,” Masood said.
“Many people keep saying many things, it does not make any difference,” he added.
SP MP Ramashankar Rajbhar also criticised the statements coming from some Congress leaders, saying they could affect the INDIA bloc’s prospects in the upcoming polls.
“Some Congress leaders have been making statements that hurt the INDIA Bloc, and has the potential to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party. The alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress will be decided by Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, but the absurd statements being made by Congress leaders are only aimed at creating pressure,” Rajbhar told IANS.
He further took a swipe at Congress by saying, “How much strength Congress has in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is well-known.”
The exchanges come despite repeated assertions from senior leaders of both parties about maintaining unity. The SP and Congress contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election together in Uttar Pradesh and won 43 seats between them, with the SP winning 37 and Congress six.
FOLLOW NOW
