Will Congress Contest 181 Seats In 2027 UP Polls? Akhilesh Yadav Hints At Seat-Sharing Talks

Last Updated:November 14, 2026, 10:26 PM IST

However, Akhilesh Yadav did not confirm whether the SP had accepted the demand.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav (Image: File Photo/News18)

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday offered a glimpse into the seat-sharing discussions within the INDIA bloc ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections next year, indicating that the Congress has sought 181 seats.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi, Yadav was asked whether the Congress wanted to contest 100 seats. He said the party had demanded more.

When asked if the number was 200, he replied, “A little less than that.” Asked if it was 180, the SP chief responded, “Add one more,” suggesting that Congress was seeking 181 seats, PTI reported.

However, Yadav did not confirm whether the SP had accepted the demand. He maintained that the opposition alliance would remain united to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh.

“We have made up our mind on how many seats we will contest. The Samajwadi Party and the INDIA alliance will defeat the BJP together,” he said.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has 403 seats, making seat-sharing a key issue for the opposition parties as they prepare for the 2027 elections.

Asked whether he was considering an alliance with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, Yadav said he did not think about other alliances while being part of an existing one. The BSP is currently not a member of the INDIA bloc.

Highlighting the SP’s ties with the Congress, Yadav said, “The INDIA alliance with the Congress is the same alliance that we had earlier. I do not see any change in it.”

He also expressed confidence in the opposition’s prospects, citing the SP’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. The party won the Faizabad seat, which includes Ayodhya, where its candidate Awadhesh Prasad defeated the BJP.

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How many seats has Congress sought for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections according to Akhilesh Yadav?

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav indicated that the Congress party has sought 181 seats for the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

What did Akhilesh Yadav say about the current status of the opposition alliance with Congress?

Akhilesh Yadav stated that the INDIA alliance with Congress remains the same as their previous alliance, expressing confidence that they will defeat the BJP together.

Which specific seat did the Samajwadi Party win in Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party won the Faizabad seat, which includes Ayodhya, where their candidate Awadhesh Prasad defeated the BJP.

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Manisha RoySenior Sub-Editor

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More

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