#RoadTo2019: Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati meet in Delhi to discuss seat-sharing
What's the story
Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of Samajwadi Party and Mayawati, the matriarch of Bahujan Samaj Party, met in New Delhi on Friday to discuss seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections slated to take place in summer this year. While an official statement about the meeting is awaited, reports claimed the former bitter rivals have kept Congress out of the grand alliance for now. Here's more.
State
The importance of Uttar Pradesh in Lok Sabha
The saying, whoever wins Uttar Pradesh wins India has stood the test of time. The state sends 80 members in the Lok Sabha and in 2014, the Narendra Modi led BJP won 71 seats. This time the numbers wouldn't be as eye-popping as they were then for the saffron party. Meanwhile, BSP and SP have reportedly decided to contest on 37 seats each.
Decisions
SP, BSP decide against fielding candidates in Amethi, Rae Bareli
The discussion between Akhilesh and Mayawati lasted for two hours. Later, Akhilesh went to SP Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav's house where talks resumed with BSP leader Satish Mishra. The two parties have decided to not field candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli, the constituencies of Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia respectively. While SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary confirmed the meeting, he didn't reveal details.
Details
Mayawati wanted more seats than SP
Other players of the mahagathbandhan like the Rashtriya Lok Dal of Jat leader Ajit Singh will be accommodated from seat share of SP. Reports claimed Mayawati wanted more seats in the arrangement. Notably, Congress wanted to contest in more than a dozen seats, a demand none of the parties accepted. Hence the grand old party was kept out. Mayawati will return to Lucknow soon to talk with BSP leaders.
Strained ties
Earlier, Akhilesh took dig at Congress over Madhya Pradesh cabinet
Earlier, Akhilesh had expressed displeasure after Congress denied the lone SP MLA a cabinet seat in Madhya Pradesh after Kamal Nath was sworn in. The SP had helped Congress after it fell short of a majority. Akhilesh had said, "Thanks to the Congress, they did not make our vidhayak (legislator) a minister. By doing so, the Congress had cleared the path for Uttar Pradesh."