Akhilesh Yadav to Skip INDIA Bloc Meet; UP Seat-Sharing Talks Gain Fresh Attention

SP chief cites prior engagements for absence from September 30 Delhi meeting; Congress seeks at least 150 seats as alliance negotiations continue

Lucknow/New Delhi, September 28, 2026 (SDNA): The upcoming September 30 meeting of the INDIA bloc in New Delhi is set to take place without Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav. According to reports, Yadav has cited prior engagements and political commitments in Uttar Pradesh, while a senior SP representative is expected to attend the meeting on behalf of the party.

The development comes at a time when discussions between the SP and Congress over seat-sharing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections remain an important issue within the opposition alliance.

Meeting to Focus on Election-Related Issues

The September 30 gathering is expected to discuss issues concerning the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, along with coordination among opposition parties.

Yadav’s decision to stay away has generated political discussion, particularly because the SP and Congress are simultaneously engaged in negotiations over their respective claims for the Uttar Pradesh polls. However, reports citing the SP’s stated position have attributed his absence to prior commitments rather than confirming any specific disagreement over the meeting.

Congress Puts 150-Seat Figure on the Table

The seat-sharing negotiations have acquired greater significance after Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam said on September 28 that the party would not contest fewer than 150 of the state’s 403 Assembly constituencies under an alliance arrangement. He also indicated that the seat-sharing exercise could be finalised in October.

Gautam said Congress has been preparing for the negotiations for the past two months and has candidates available across the state. The SP, meanwhile, has been emphasising candidate viability and local political equations while discussions on the distribution of constituencies continue.

Leadership-Level Talks Still Important

The question of how the two parties will settle their respective claims remains open. Recent reports have indicated that discussions involving senior leaders of both parties could take place as the seat-sharing process moves forward.

Some political commentary has linked Yadav’s absence from the September 30 meeting with differences between the SP and Congress. However, such an interpretation remains speculative unless backed by a direct statement from the parties. The publicly reported reason for his absence is his prior engagements.

2024 Lok Sabha Results Form Part of the Background

The SP and Congress contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh as alliance partners and together won 43 of the state’s 80 seats. The SP won 37 seats, while Congress secured six. Those results form part of the political context surrounding the negotiations for the next Assembly election.

The two parties now face a different electoral exercise, with negotiations involving not only the number of constituencies but also candidate selection, local organisational strength and constituency-specific considerations.

October May Bring Greater Clarity

With Congress publicly indicating a minimum claim of 150 seats and the SP continuing to assess constituency-level factors, the next phase of negotiations is likely to focus on translating the broader alliance into a constituency-wise formula.

For now, the September 30 INDIA bloc meeting will proceed with SP representation despite Yadav’s absence. The larger question of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh seat-sharing arrangement remains under discussion, with October emerging as an important period for further negotiations.