First Phase polling: INDIA Bloc fails to hold joint rally as just a day left for campaigning

Rahul and Akhilesh are likely to address a joint press conference in Ghaziabad on April 17.

As the countdown to the first phase of polls in Uttar Pradesh comes down to mere a day, the INDIA bloc of Opposition parties has failed to organise a joint rally between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

Scheduled for April 19, the voting in the first phase encompasses 8 seats in the state, where campaigning will end on April 17. Despite this, no significant rally or public meeting featuring Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, has been slated for Western Uttar Pradesh.

"Thus far, we have fallen short of projecting a cohesive front. The constituents of the INDIA Bloc ought to have convened a collective rally in western UP, a region crucial in the initial phase of polling. This absence underscores the dearth of coordination between the two allies, evident even at grassroots levels," remarked a leader from the Samajwadi Party.

He emphasised that while Akhilesh had indeed addressed several rallies in western Uttar Pradesh, the absence of a joint rally is conspicuous.

However, there is a glimmer of hope for the Opposition as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to lead a roadshow in Saharanpur on April 17, endorsing party candidate Imran Masood from Gol Kothi at 10 am.

But Samajwadi Party leaders are not invited and have decided to give this road show a miss.

While the Congress party allies with the INDIA bloc in the state, it is contesting only one seat in Saharanpur during this first phase of the election where 8 constituencies will go to polls.

As the election fervour reaches its zenith, the absence of significant programmes in Western Uttar Pradesh exacerbates the challenge. Nevertheless, Chairman of the Congress Party’s Media Department, Dr CP Rai, said preparations are on for Priyanka Gandhi’s forthcoming roadshow.
He also said that on April 17, Rahul and Akhilesh are likely to address a joint press conference in Ghaziabad.

Political analyst Rajesh N  Bajpai emphasised the criticality of presenting a united front in any electoral contest. He stressed that the success of an alliance hinges on the effective transfer of votes. “When senior leaders fail to jointly conduct rallies, voters at the grassroots level often feel marginalized and vote according to their individual preferences,” he said.
Highlighting a notable shortfall, Bajpai pointed out that the Congress-SP alliance in western UP has faltered in this aspect.

“In contrast, the NDA alliance has demonstrated unity by hosting joint rallies featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary, who have addressed two rallies together. Notably, Jayant Chaudhary has also been observed addressing rallies where BJP candidates are contesting. Moreover, at the local level, RLD leaders have been seen accompanying BJP counterparts during nomination processes.

"This camaraderie and collaboration are noticeably absent within the INDIA Bloc,” he said.

Looking ahead to the second phase, a slew of meetings, rallies, and interactions with alliance leaders are anticipated. While the presence of national leaders might be scant in Western UP, state Congress leaders remain entrenched in the region, spearheading various outreach initiatives.

State in-charge Avinash Pandey conducts Lok Sabha-wise meetings and reviews, complemented by grassroots engagements led by State President Ajay Rai and Pramod Tiwari. Additionally, plans for public relation meetings featuring Brijlal Khabri, Naseemuddin Siddiqui, and others remain on the agenda.

“We are looking for co-ordination with Samajwadi Party in the second phase of election which is slated for April 26. Some join rallies or meetings are expected,” Pandey said.

Simultaneously, the party intensifies its social media campaign, releasing videos addressing crucial issues like women's rights, youth empowerment, and agrarian concerns. With a commitment to daily production and dissemination of informative videos, the party aims to leverage various platforms, including booth-level outreach, to amplify its message.