SP snub to Cong for bypoll seats: Cong says ‘possibilities ahead’

PTI Lucknow: Congress strategists on Sunday said discussions on ticket distribution are ongoing with the Samajwadi Party and there are “possibilities ahead”, days after its ally declared candidates for six of the 10 Uttar Pradesh assembly seats where bypolls are scheduled. The SP had announced candidates for six of the 10 Uttar Pradesh assembly seats after the Congress lost the assembly polls in Haryana. The Congress has been demanding five seats in the bypolls for which the schedule is yet to be announced. Congress national general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge, Avinash Pandey told PTI, “If the results do not meet our expectations, it is natural for disappointment to arise among our workers and leaders.

However, we are committed to our objectives in UP - the era of jungle raj must come to an end.” A Congress worker said the loss in Haryana has empowered the SP to declare candidates for six seats in the state. Despite this setback, Pandey emphasised that discussions regarding ticket distribution are ongoing and solutions will be found through timely communication. “This is not a major issue. There are still possibilities ahead,” he asserted. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress, in alliance with the SP contested 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. The SP won 37 seats, while the Congress managed to secure six.