New Delhi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A public verbal exchange between Congress MP Imran Masood and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ashu Malik at an event in Saharanpur has given the BJP fresh ammunition to target the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
A video of the exchange, which has been circulating on X, was shared by BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari. The footage purportedly shows Masood and Malik engaged in a heated argument during a public meeting.
The confrontation reportedly began after Masood objected to interruptions and insisted that speakers follow the proceedings of the meeting.
Sharing the video, Bhandari described the incident as evidence of growing friction between the two Opposition allies.
“Rahul Gandhi – Akhilesh Yadav’s party fighting among each other! SP–CONGRESS ALLIANCE TURNS INTO A FULL-BLOWN FIGHT! This is the state of ‘Mahagathbandhan’,” he said in his post.
Bhandari also highlighted an exchange in the video in which an SP MLA is heard saying, “Hey you… We haven’t come here to eat pakoras!” Masood reportedly responded, “Who’s feeding you pakoras here?”
The BJP spokesperson labelled the exchange “Pakoras vs taunts” and used it to question the Opposition alliance’s prospects in Uttar Pradesh.
“Those who are busy fighting among each other can never win the trust of the people of Uttar Pradesh,” Bhandari said, adding that the state would “yet again reject this SP Congress Opposition”.
The episode comes as the Congress and SP work towards maintaining coordination ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The Congress has been seeking early discussions on seat-sharing with the SP, making coordination between the two parties an important issue as preparations for the polls gather pace.
The two parties contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh together and recorded a strong performance. The SP won 37 seats, while the Congress secured six, giving the alliance a substantial presence in the state.
The 2027 Assembly election is expected to see another major contest between the BJP-led alliance and the Opposition. The SP is seeking to build on its 2024 Lok Sabha performance, while the Congress is looking to strengthen its organisational presence in the state.
Recent reports have pointed to differences over seat-sharing, even as both parties have indicated an interest in continuing their alliance. The latest public confrontation is likely to add to the political debate over the cohesion of the Opposition grouping in Uttar Pradesh.
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