Akhilesh Yadav's support to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Nyay Yatra amidst seat-sharing delays

Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, has issued an ultimatum to the Congress regarding joining Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Nyay Yatra, stating that his party's participation is contingent on finalizing the seat-sharing deal. Yadav mentioned on Monday that talks between the two parties are progressing. However, he emphasized that the Samajwadi Party will officially join the Nyaya Yatra once the seat-sharing arrangement is concluded. 

 As negotiations persist between Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, the conclusion of the seat-sharing deal between the Samajwadi Party and Congress remains pending. Akhilesh Yadav accepted an invitation from Kharge to join Rahul Gandhi's yatra either in Amethi or Raebareli. However, the Samajwadi Party, which refrained from contesting Amethi and Raebareli seats in the 2019 elections, is engaged in a disagreement with Congress over the allocation of seats.

Initially willing to offer 11 seats, the Samajwadi Party has now increased its proposal to 15 seats out of the total 80 in Uttar Pradesh. Congress, however, has not accepted this condition, leading to a standoff. The seat-sharing talks hold significant importance as both parties are part of the INDIA bloc, especially following unsuccessful negotiations with WB CM Mamata Banerjee, who has decided to contest the elections independently in her state.