After their alliance failed in 2017, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav reworked their strategy and ensured that they emerge as political game-changers on the BJP turf in Uttar Pradesh.
In 2017, there was an apparent discomfort in their relationship which reached their respective cadres and the alliance soured.
After initial hiccups over seat sharing, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav made sure to campaign together and more importantly, ensure that they spoke in one voice on all issues.
Both the leaders chose to ignore the BJP's attacks on them on issues like appeasement and nepotism. He did not respond to the allegations even once during the campaign.He remained faithful to his stance on unemployment, inflation and the Constitution.
The cordiality that the two leaders displayed in public acted as a bond for their workers, who eventually decided to work together in the elections.
Although the SP changed candidates frequently at one time, Akhilesh Yadav ensured that it did not turn into any kind of rebellion. He also strengthened his party in areas where their MLAs had joined the BJP just before the elections.
Rahul Gandhi, on his part, did not let the lack of party workers in Congress become a hindrance in his campaign. He did not trust the local leaders and managed things with the help of his core group in Delhi.More importantly, both the leaders did not respond to issues like Ram Mandir and appeasement, which could have given a communal color to the entire campaign. Nor did they go ahead with their PDA, Dalit, Minority formula, BPL families and Agniveers who transcend caste boundaries.
“In 2017, there was visible tension in relations between the two parties and we had felt it, but this time, Rahul and Akhilesh got together like a house on fire. We hope this harmony will continue till the next assembly elections in 2027,” said a senior SP functionary.
In 2017, there was an apparent discomfort in their relationship which reached their respective cadres and the alliance soured.
After initial hiccups over seat sharing, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav made sure to campaign together and more importantly, ensure that they spoke in one voice on all issues.
Both the leaders chose to ignore the BJP's attacks on them on issues like appeasement and nepotism. He did not respond to the allegations even once during the campaign.He remained faithful to his stance on unemployment, inflation and the Constitution.
The cordiality that the two leaders displayed in public acted as a bond for their workers, who eventually decided to work together in the elections.
Although the SP changed candidates frequently at one time, Akhilesh Yadav ensured that it did not turn into any kind of rebellion. He also strengthened his party in areas where their MLAs had joined the BJP just before the elections.
Rahul Gandhi, on his part, did not let the lack of party workers in Congress become a hindrance in his campaign. He did not trust the local leaders and managed things with the help of his core group in Delhi.More importantly, both the leaders did not respond to issues like Ram Mandir and appeasement, which could have given a communal color to the entire campaign. Nor did they go ahead with their PDA, Dalit, Minority formula, BPL families and Agniveers who transcend caste boundaries.
“In 2017, there was visible tension in relations between the two parties and we had felt it, but this time, Rahul and Akhilesh got together like a house on fire. We hope this harmony will continue till the next assembly elections in 2027,” said a senior SP functionary.
