SP-Congress alliance for UP bypolls intact: Akhilesh Yadav

KANPUR: SP president Akhilesh Yadav confirmed on Thursday that his party's alliance with Congress will continue for the upcoming bypolls in 10 assembly seats in UP. The assurance came amid speculation of a rift between the two INDIA bloc partners after SP announced candidates for six seats on Wednesday, while Congress had expressed its intention to contest five.
"I only want to say that INDIA bloc will be there. SP and Congress alliance will remain intact," Akhilesh told reporters in Saifai, where he paid homage to his late father and party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav on his second death anniversary.
Of the 10 seats, SP held five, BJP three, and one each by RLD and Nishad Party.
Akhilesh refrained from commenting on Congress's recent defeat in Haryana assembly polls, stating that it was not the appropriate time to address the matter.