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SP, Congress MPs Clash Over Leadership: Akhilesh vs. Rahul for UP BJP Challenge
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News18•23-09-2026, 14:38
SP, Congress MPs Clash Over Leadership: Akhilesh vs. Rahul for UP BJP Challenge
- •A fresh war of words erupted between Samajwadi Party and Congress leaders in Uttar Pradesh regarding the importance of their respective parties and leaders for the Opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
- •SP MP Iqra Hasan stated that only Akhilesh Yadav is capable of defeating the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, questioning Congress's ability to achieve much on its own.
- •Congress MP Imran Masood countered, asserting that Rahul Gandhi is the essential opposition voice across the country and indispensable to any challenge against the BJP.
- •Imran Masood emphasized that Rahul Gandhi's hard work has created a favorable atmosphere, making him crucial for any anti-BJP effort.
- •Masood also pressed for an early decision on seat-sharing between the two parties, warning that delays would force Congress to begin its own preparations and cause damage on the ground.
Key Questions Answered
SP MP Iqra Hasan stated that Akhilesh Yadav is the only leader capable of defeating the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Masood strongly countered that Rahul Gandhi is indispensable to any Opposition challenge against the ruling party.
Imran Masood urged that seat-sharing between the two parties should be finalized immediately. He warned that if an agreement is not reached soon, the Congress party would be forced to proceed with its own preparations to avoid ground-level damage.
The public war of words involves leaders from the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, who were alliance partners during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Key figures in this debate include SP MP Iqra Hasan, SP MLA Ashhu Malik, and Congress MP Imran Masood.
