The Indian National Congress and Samajwadi Party have finalised a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections, with the Congress to contest 17 constituencies as per the deal.The announcement ends speculation over the parties alliance and seat allotments in Indias most populous state. Under the arrangement, the Samajwadi Party will not field candidates in the 17 seats to be fought by Congress, though full details are yet to be publicly confirmed.Reports indicate the seats include several high-profile constituencies, potentially signaling Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadras electoral debut from the family bastion of Rae Bareli. Her mother, Sonia Gandhi, recently exited the Lok Sabha seat after shifting to the Rajya Sabha amid health concerns.Other prominent seats believed to be ceded to Congress include Varanasi, currently held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Amethi, which Congress leader Rahul Gandhi lost in 2019 to BJP rival Smriti Irani.In return, Congress has offered Samajwadi Party the Madhya Pradesh seat of Khajuraho.Negotiations between the two Uttar Pradesh allies were said to be protracted before an agreement was struck. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had initially proposed 11 seats, then upped the offer to 15, before the final 17-seat deal was sealed.Yadav had asserted he would only join Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra justice march upon conclusion of the talks. With the seat pact now formalised, the two parties will collaborate in attempting to defeat the incumbent BJP administration in the state.
