At a press conference on March 24 in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav announced that the Samajwadi Party would not alter its current alliance with the Indian National Congress for the 2027 Assembly elections. He said the SP’s coalition strategy remains firm, citing the need for stability ahead of the vote.
Owaisi had earlier urged opposition parties to form a united front, arguing that the BJP could be stopped only through collective action. He highlighted the potential of a broader alliance, referencing his party’s experience in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and said AIMIM was ready to engage with like‑minded groups.
SP spokesperson Ashutosh Verma countered the pitch, noting that the 2024 Lok Sabha results demonstrated the SP‑Congress coalition’s ability to defeat the BJP without AIMIM’s involvement. He added that Owaisi’s focus should remain on his home state, where his presence could inflame communal tensions.
In the crowded streets of Kanpur, a farmer named Ramesh Singh told reporters that he had voted for the SP in 2024 because he trusted the party’s promise of agrarian reforms. Singh said he hoped the party would continue to work with the Congress to protect farmers’ interests.
The Samajwadi Party plans to convene a series of meetings with Congress leaders next week to solidify its campaign strategy, while Owaisi’s party prepares to reassess its role in Uttar Pradesh politics. Attendees will decide whether AIMIM will remain outside the state’s upcoming electoral equation.