Socialist Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has instructed his party workers in Uttar Pradesh's 17 constituencies, where ally Congress is contesting, to compete as if their own party is in the fray. The strong presence of Socialists in Amethi and Raebareli rallies indicates the impact of his directive.
Although the SP-Congress alliance failed to mature in the 2017 assembly elections, workers from both parties are on the field ensuring victory in the high-profile constituencies of Amethi and Raebareli. Congress' KL Sharma is in the fray in Amethi while Raebareli sees Rahul Gandhi.
As Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has taken charge of Rahul and KL Sharma's election campaigns, a large number of Congress workers along with local SP leaders are evident in every public meeting and rally.
While some blamed the alliance's (Congress-SP) failure in 2017 on its mere paper existence, SP and Congress workers assert things are different this time. SP's Raebareli district chief Virendra Yadav said, "The alliance was last-minute in 2017, hence we couldn't prepare. But this time, continuous 'India' block meetings have improved coordination between the two parties' workers and leaders."
Source: aajtak
According to Virendra Yadav, "Once our leader Akhilesh Yadav announced the alliance, he immediately called a meeting of officers and main leaders of the 17 Congress-given seats, urging to fight the elections as if your own party is in the field. Now all SP workers are following this instruction."
SP district president in Raebareli, Virendra Yadav, claimed that there used to be a silent consensus in favor of Congress candidates in previous Lok Sabha elections in Amethi and Raebareli, but this time, with the "declared alliance," workers are more excited and committed to ensuring a major victory for the 'India' block candidates (Rahul Gandhi and KL Sharma).
"SP and Congress workers are confident that Rahul will win Raebareli by a record margin, while Sharma will secure a good lead in Amethi," said SP district president. He mentioned that SP workers are distributing Congress' 'guarantee cards' which contain the party's promises to the people.
Source: aajtak
Congress leader involved in media promotions in Amethi and Raebareli, Anshu Awasthi, stated that the enthusiastic support of SP workers in both constituencies is because of their deep, familial, and emotional bond with the Gandhi family. Many senior SP workers and leaders have previously been associated with the Gandhi family, so there's a sentimental attachment from SP members toward them, striving to realize an electoral victory with full might.
Meanwhile, SP's former district president in Raebareli, Ram Naresh Yadav, said that the party workers are equally fervent as Congress workers and are working hard in Raebareli and Amethi ensuring a major victory for the 'India' block candidates. He noted a synergy between SP workers and Congress, and a joint rally is anticipated where Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav will underscore the strength of this alliance.
Source: aajtak
It should be noted that the Raebareli electoral region comprises five assembly constituencies - Bachrawan, Harchandpur, Raebareli, Unchahar, and Sareni. Similarly, Amethi parliamentary region includes the Tiloi, Salon, Jagdishpur, Gauriganj, and Amethi assembly constituencies. Of these 10 assembly areas, six are represented by SP legislators, yet two have lent support to BJP.
