Lucknow: The alliance between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) appears to be falling apart ahead of the upcoming three-tier panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress has indicated it may go solo in the polls, signalling a divergence in strategy from its INDIA bloc partner.
Sources within the Congress say the party is preparing to contest the panchayat elections independently, focusing on strengthening its grassroots organizational structure and amplifying public interest issues through street protests and campaigns.
In a move to energize its cadre, the Congress has announced the appointment of 133 district and city presidents, with executive committees already formed in about 40 of them. The party plans to soon complete the remaining appointments.
To build momentum ahead of the elections, the Congress will organize oath-taking ceremonies for these newly appointed district and city units between July 3 and July 7. Senior leaders, including MPs, former MPs, and ex-MLAs, are expected to attend these events.
Following this, the party will begin forming assembly-level and block-level committees in each district, which will also hold their respective swearing-in ceremonies. The Congress aims to complete the formation of booth-level committees across the state by August 15.
Meanwhile, the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) is also ramping up preparations to contest the panchayat elections with full force. On Tuesday, ASP state president Sunil Kumar Chittod held a strategy meeting at the party’s state office in Indiranagar, Lucknow.
During the meeting, Chittod instructed divisional in-charges and office-bearers of the Bhaiyachara (Brotherhood) Committees to strengthen the organization at the ward level. He urged party workers to launch campaigns to engage more intellectuals and form social harmony committees in every division.
Cautioning his cadre, Chittod also advised party members to refrain from making unnecessary public statements, particularly in the wake of sensitive incidents like the recent developments in Prayagraj.
As the political landscape evolves, the upcoming panchayat elections are shaping up to be a critical testing ground for smaller parties and for the Congress to assess its solo strength in Uttar Pradesh.
