Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday confirmed that he will hold a press conference with BSP supremo Mayawati on Saturday. in Uttar Pradesh state capital Lucknow. The media interaction is likely to be held at 12 pm. The two parties are likely to make a big announcement related to their alliance before the Lok Sabha elections 2019.
"We will hold joint PC tomorrow," said Yadav on Friday during Akhilesh Yadav Ki Chaupal event in Kannauj.
Accusing the BJP of not fulfilling its poll promises, the former chief minister said that "BJP ka dhokha bolta hai" will be the slogan of the grand alliance in 2019 parliamentary polls.
However, cracks have appeared in UP grand alliance ahead of tomorrow's press conference. Ajit Singh is reportedly unhappy with the seats being offered to his party RLD. According to sources, SP and BSP have offered 2 seats to Ajit Singh’s party. However, the RLD is reportedly insisting on at least 5-6 seats.
The RLD reportedly distanced itself from tomorrow's press conference owing to differences over seat distribution. However, Ajit Singh has denied all such reports, saying his party was very much part of the grand alliance and a final decision on seat distribution will be taken by Akhilesh and Mayawati.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) has also clarified that tomorrow's press conference will give details of seat sharing between SP and BSP only. The party further said that a decision on RLD's seat share will be taken later on by Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati.
Two days ago, Ajit Singh’s son Jayant Chaudhary met Akhilesh Yadav and told him that his party wants at least 5-6 seats as it is aspiring to obtain the status of a recognised state-level political party.
Akhilesh reportedly assured Jayant that he will discuss the matter with Mayawati.
However, Mayawati, according to sources, made it clear to Akhilesh that if the SP wants to allot more seats to the RLD then it should give it from its own quota.
The RLD is reportedly asking for Baghpat, Mathura, Bulandshahr, Amroha and Hathras parliamentary seats. However, SP and BSP are willing to offer only Baghpat and Mathura seats to Ajit Singh’s party.
The two dominant players of the state may also give information about their seat-sharing plan during tomorrow's press conference. According to the sources, both the parties are planning to contest on 37 seats each.
Commenting on the entire development, Deputy Chief Minister of the state Keshav Prasad Maurya said that grand alliance is nothing but a failed effort to stop Modi government.
