Political activity is picking up in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) are facing differences over seat sharing. Congress has said it wants to contest at least 150 seats, while the SP has shown plans to prepare for a much larger number of seats. The final seat deal is yet to be decided. Key HighlightsCongress says it wants at least 150 seats in the alliance.SP has been preparing for elections across up to 350 of the 403 seats.UP Congress chief Aradhana Mishra said top leaders will decide the seat deal.Akhilesh Yadav has asked SP leaders to keep seat-sharing views inside the party. Congress Wants a Bigger ShareThe main issue is the number of seats each party will contest. Congress Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam recently said the party has candidates for all 403 Assembly seats. He also said Congress would not contest fewer than 150 seats under an alliance arrangement.Gautam said the seat-sharing talks could be completed in October. He said the party has been working on the issue for about two months. Congress also says it should get a respectable share in the alliance. Congress and SP are important parties in the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh. The two parties also fought the 2024 Lok Sabha election together in the state.SP Prepares for More SeatsThe Samajwadi Party has also increased its election work. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has discussed preparations for around 350 of the 403 Assembly seats.This does not mean that the SP has officially rejected an alliance with Congress. But the move has added pressure to the seat-sharing talks.SP MP Shiv Pal Singh Patel also questioned Congress' reported demand for 150 seats. He said the number of seats should match the party's electoral strength and organisation. Aradhana Mishra Says Top Leaders Will DecideNewly appointed UP Congress president Aradhana Mishra has said the final decision will not be taken only at the state level."The INDIA alliance was not formed specifically for Uttar Pradesh. It was formed in Delhi."Mishra said the top leadership of the INDIA bloc and its parties will decide the number of seats and the timing of the alliance. She also said the Congress leadership will keep the trust of party workers in mind. Akhilesh Asks Leaders to Avoid Public CommentsThe differences have also led to public comments from leaders of both parties. Akhilesh Yadav has now asked SP leaders to keep their views on seat sharing within internal party discussions.The move came after public remarks about Congress' reported demand. The SP wants to keep its election preparations moving while discussions with Congress continue. What Happens Next?Uttar Pradesh has 403 Assembly seats. The 2027 election is expected early next year, but the Election Commission has not yet announced the full election schedule.For now, Congress and SP are still discussing their alliance. The biggest issue remains the number of seats each party will get.The final decision is expected to come from the top leadership of both parties. Until then, both Congress and SP are likely to continue their election preparations across Uttar Pradesh.
