Farmers Movement Archive

Akhilesh Yadav, Jayant Chaudhary tweet pics after meeting, hint at poll alliance

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Chaudhary on Tuesday tweeted photos of their meeting giving heft to speculations that both the parties are firming up to form an alliance ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls next year.Akhilesh Yadav and Jayant Chaudhary shared pictures with captions which indicate that a deal may be close between the regional parties as they look to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in UP.“Heading towards change with Jayant Chaudhary,” Akhilesh tweeted in Hindi sharing a photo of both and shortly afterwards the RLD leader also tweeted a photo of their meeting with a similar caption.Rashtriya Lok Dal state president Masood Ahmad told news agency PTI that both leaders discussed the issue of seat-sharing in the 2022 UP assembly polls during their meeting on Tuesday but have not taken a final call.Jayant Chaudhary earlier while speaking to HT said the Samajwadi Party has a “credible base” in Uttar Pradesh when asked about coalitions ahead of the polls which are seen as a precursor to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.“We were working on creating a viable alternative to the BJP and a strong opposition platform. We will go forward in that direction,” Chaudhary said while confirming that both parties held discussions.“Within the opposition, Samajwadi Party has a credible base across the state. We are in conversation with them,” he said.The SP and RLD have contested assembly elections and Lok Sabha bypolls together since 2017.Jayant Chaudhary’s RLD was crucial to the movement against the farm laws as it wields considerable influence in western Uttar Pradesh and the sugarcane farmers in that region. The Samajwadi Party is to bring smaller parties to form a formidable alliance against the BJP.

Hindustan Times

23-11-2021

India