Assembly polls: Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in trouble in Uttar Pradesh; Akhilesh Yadav not ready to give over 100 seats

Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party on Saturday said that the alliance with the Congress failed to establish in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Assembly elections because of the sheer arrogance of the grand old party, who were behaving as if they were "influential" in the state.

Speaking to ANI, Samajwadi party leader Naresh Aggarwal said the Congress was offered 100 seats by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, but they were not ready to accept less than 120 seats which was not possible as the SP had 234 sitting MLAs they need to give them tickets as well.

"The Congress was rigid on their demand as if they have are a great source of influence in the region and Uttar Pradesh cannot run without them," he said.

Aggarwal further said that due to the rigid attitude of the Congress over the distribution of tickets, the alliance was called off.

"I blame the Congress for breaking alliance and giving a boost to the BJP. We gave it our all to ensure that this alliance is forged, but could not do anything because of Congress` rigidity," he said.

Samajwadi Party`s Maharastra state unit leader Abu Aazmi also said the SP had given enough space to the Congress and that before seeking more seats, the Congress should look at its "haisiyat" (real situation). 

Meanwhile, the Congress did not confirm the breakup and continued to remain vague over an alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that things would be known tomorrow morning.

Also Read - UP polls 2017: Akhilesh Yadav to release Samajwadi Party's manifesto on Sunday

On the other hand, Congress' UP state president  Raj Babbar said there was no hindrance in talks with SP.

"We have cleared the seats for first and second phase, will know about alliance till the morning," he added.

According to sources, the main bone of contention between the two parties emerged when the Congress wanted more seats in Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies, the stronghold of the Gandhi family, whereas the Samajwadi Party was unwilling to field their `failed` candidates on the same.

Interestingly, national president of the SP Akhilesh is to release his party`s manifesto on Sunday, spokesman Rajendra Chowdhary said, as per IANS.

Earlier it was supposed to be happening at a joint event of the Congress and SP. 

On Friday SP went ahead unilaterally and declared 208 candidates that included names for seats where the Congress had won in 2012 Assembly polls.

(With Agency inputs)