SP-Congress Seat-Sharing Talks for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election

The Congress party has submitted a list covering 175 to 200 of the 403 Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats it wishes to contest. The list was shared with Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders in early October after a request by SP Lok Sabha MP Rajeev Rai to Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during a high-tea at Rahul Gandhi’s residence on October 13. Vadra met the state Congress leadership on October 19 and urged a focus on “quality of seats” rather than a fixed number. SP president Akhilesh Yadav has said the final allocation will be decided after joint discussions, emphasizing “winnability” as the sole criterion. Congress leaders argue that its 2024 Lok Sabha performance justifies a larger share, while SP officials contend the demand exceeds the party’s organisational strength in the state.

The Indian ExpressUP election 2027: Congress seeks up to 200 seats, Samajwadi Party unconvinced of its ally's political strength Congress shares list of 170 seats with Samajwadi Party for UP polls UP polls: Congress shares initial list with SP, seeks 175-200 seats

In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, the SP won 111 seats and the Congress secured 2. The 2024 Lok Sabha election saw the SP win 37 of the state’s 80 parliamentary seats and the Congress win 6, limiting the BJP to 33 seats. These results have revived the SP-Congress “INDIA” bloc, which now seeks to unseat the BJP-led NDA in the 2027 poll.

UP polls: Congress shares initial list with SP, seeks 175-200 seats The Indian Express‘Nobody knows the truth’: Akhilesh Yadav dismisses seat-sharing figures amid Congress's demand for 175-200 seats Congress shares list of 170 seats with Samajwadi Party for UP polls Telegraph India

• Total assembly seats: 403.

Uttar Pradesh: Congress seeks over 175 Seats from Samajwadi Party

• SP’s 2022 seat count: 111.

UP polls: Congress shares initial list with SP, seeks 175-200 seats

• Congress’s 2022 seat count: 2.

The Indian Express

• Congress’s 2024 Lok Sabha seats in UP: 6.

Congress shares list of 170 seats with Samajwadi Party for UP polls

• SP’s 2024 Lok Sabha seats in UP: 37.

UP polls: Congress shares initial list with SP, seeks 175-200 seats

• SP insiders have floated a possible allocation of 50-80 seats to Congress; other sources mention 80-90.

The Indian Express

• Some Congress insiders are pushing for 115-120 seats, citing a desire to contest roughly half of the assembly.

Congress shares list of 170 seats with Samajwadi Party for UP polls

Congress Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam said the list reflects constituencies where the party enjoys “public trust and organisational growth” and that discussions are underway to finalize an “honourable” agreement. SP president Akhilesh Yadav reiterated that the alliance’s common goal is to remove the BJP and that the final seat-sharing formula remains undisclosed, warning that media reports on exact numbers are speculative. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emphasized that negotiations should start with a “list” and avoid “fixated” demands on seat counts.

The Indian Express

A senior SP leader told PTI that “winnability is the sole criterion” and dismissed the Congress’s demand for a fixed list as “posturing.” Congress MP Imran Masood criticised the SP for “ruining” the alliance by insisting on a low seat count, arguing that Congress will not compromise its prospects. Conversely, a senior Congress MP called the SP’s request for a list of “who will contest from where” “unreasonable.”

The Indian Express

Sources differ on the exact number of seats each side is prepared to concede. SP insiders cite possible allocations of 50-80 seats, while other statements mention 80-90. Congress insiders reference a target of 115-120 seats and have publicly listed 170-180 seats in various reports. No final formula has been disclosed, and the parties have not confirmed a timeline for concluding negotiations, leaving uncertainty about candidate placement for the February-March 2027 election.

The Indian Express