/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24016885/STK093_Google_04.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24808816/Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_____Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_2023_7_25_94252.263_1440p_streamshot.png)
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday backed West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee’s claim that his party would support the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls where it is strong. Endorsing Banerjee’s statement of opposition unity at the national level, Yadav said the party which is strong in the state should contest elections there.
According to a party statement, he said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and other parties are of the same opinion. Yadav had recently met Kumar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav here. He also participated in a TRS function in Telangana earlier this year.
On Monday, Banerjee clarified TMC’s stand on the possible strategy of opposition unity. He said his party would support the Congress where it is strong in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Samajwadi Party is the main opposition in the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, which sends a maximum of 80 members to the Lok Sabha.
The SP forged alliances with both the Congress and the BSP in the recent past but later parted ways. Last year, the party contested the UP elections along with Apna Dal (Kamerwadi) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) among others. Congratulating the people of Karnataka for defeating the BJP, Yadav said that people have rejected those who spread hatred. He said, “BJP works to fight the society.”
“Wherever the Congress is strong, let them fight. We will support them, there is nothing wrong in that. But they will have to support other political parties as well,” Banerjee said. However, to get support, the Congress will have to seek the support of other parties as well, he told reporters in Kolkata.
On the urban local body elections in UP, Yadav again alleged that the BJP government has “murdered democracy”. Yadav said, “BJP people used all tricks to win the election. We have to fight to save democracy.” He alleged that “defeated” BJP candidates were declared victorious and officials acted as “BJP agents”.
Yadav said that SP’s vote percentage has increased in urban areas and it has emerged stronger in rural areas. “Had the BJP not indulged in foul play, it would have been wiped out,” he said.
