India Bloc Candidates Set To Contest UP Bypolls On SP’s ‘Cycle’ Symbol; Here’s What Akhilesh Yadav Said

Lucknow: Sharing a photograph with Congress MP and Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said the leaders had decided to ‘save Constitution, Reservation and Harmony.’ His statement comes on social media hours after he announced that all INDIA bloc candidates would contest the upcoming bypolls in Uttar Pradesh on his party’s election symbol, ‘cycle.’

“We have decided to save ‘Constitution, Reservation, Harmony’ We have to build the country of Bapu-Babasaheb-Lohia’s dreams,” read the translated version of the SP chief’s post on X, formerly Twitter.

Earlier, Akhilesh had mentioned that the joint candidates of India Alliance would contest on all 9 seats on the cycle symbol as ‘it is not about seats but about winning.’ “Congress and Samajwadi Party are united and standing shoulder to shoulder for a big victory. India Alliance is going to write a new chapter of victory in this by-election,” he had mentioned on X.

The leader had also acknowledged that the Samajwadi Party’s strength had increased manifold with the support of Congress’ top leadership and booth-level workers. “With this unprecedented cooperation and support, every worker of ‘INDIA bloc’ on all 9 assembly seats is filled with new energy with the resolve to win,” the former UP chief minister added to his post on X.

Akhilesh also highlighted that the alliance’s focus would be on upholding the dignity of the “backward classes, Dalits, and minorities,” during the upcoming bypolls, besides safeguarding the Constitution.

Bypolls are scheduled for November 13 on 9 seats, including Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Karhal (Mainpuri), Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar), Ghaziabad, Majhawan (Mirzapur), Sishamau (Kanpur), Khair (Aligarh), Phulpur (Prayagraj), and Kundarki (Moradabad).

The bypolls were necessitated after eight of the seats fell vacant after their MLAs were elected as MPs in the Lok Sabha. Bypoll in Sisamau is being held due to the disqualification of Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki, who was convicted in a criminal case.

Initially, the Congress had sought five of the 10 assembly seats, including Milkipur (Ayodhya). But SP later announced that Congress agreed to contest only on two seats, Ghaziabad and Khair (Aligarh), leaving the rest to SP.

The Election Commission of India has called for bypolls on nine seats, excluding Milkipur. The last date for filing of nominations is October 25.

The vote counting will be done on November 23.