Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav revealed on Saturday, November 14, 2026, that the Congress party has expressed a desire to contest 181 seats in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Speaking at a summit in Delhi, Mr. Yadav clarified the number after a series of questions regarding whether the demand was for 100 or 200 seats, eventually confirming the figure as 181 out of the state's 403 total seats.
Mr. Yadav asserted that the INDIA bloc remains committed to unity to defeat the ruling BJP in the state. He further noted that the alleged "theft" of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya would serve as a significant issue during the upcoming polls. When questioned about a possible alliance with BSP chief Mayawati, the former Chief Minister stated that he is not considering other partnerships while already being part of an existing alliance.
Regarding his planned visit to the Ram temple, Mr. Yadav mentioned he would first visit Kedareshwar Dham in Etawah before seeking blessings in Ayodhya. He intends to thank the people of Faizabad for their support during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where SP's Awadesh Prasad won the Ayodhya seat. While a senior SP leader suggested a visit date of December 12, Mr. Yadav stated the visit would occur on an auspicious date fixed after consulting prominent individuals.
