As the lok sabha elections in 2024 approach, a crucial alliance has been formed between the Samajwadi party (SP) and congress in Uttar Pradesh (UP). The opposition alliance, named the indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), has designated 63 lok sabha seats for the SP and other constituent parties, while congress will contest on 17 lok sabha seats.
This seat distribution brings relief to congress, yet it excludes the Bahujan Samaj party (BSP) from the alliance, despite efforts to incorporate BSP supremo Mayawati. mayawati has announced that BSP will contest the elections independently. Mayawati's influence cannot be overlooked, particularly in UP, which plays a crucial role in the path to power in Delhi.
While her influence has diminished, she retains a significant portion of the Dalit vote bank. The impact of Mayawati's absence from the alliance was evident in the 2023 Municipal Corporation elections. bjp secured all 17 mayor seats, with BSP candidates finishing second on four seats, giving a tough competition to the opposition.
These candidates not only challenged bjp but also thwarted the prospects of SP and Congress. In particular, the move by BSP on four seats—Mathura-Vrindavan, Saharanpur, Ghaziabad, and agra Municipal Corporation—worked in favor of BJP. The absence of BSP from certain seats could pose challenges for the SP-Congress alliance, especially in reserved seats and constituencies where small margins determine victory or defeat. The effectiveness of the SP-Congress alliance without BSP will be a significant factor in the lok sabha elections in 2024.
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