A fresh war of words has exposed growing cracks between Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) ahead of the 2027 UP Assembly elections. Congress MP Imran Masood launched a sharp attack on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, accusing him of sidelining outspoken Muslim leaders and questioning the party’s commitment to its traditional support base. His remarks have triggered a political storm within the INDI bloc.
Masood said that the SP leadership does not want Muslim leaders who speak independently. Referring to leaders such as Atiq Ahmad, Mukhtar Ansari and Azam Khan, he alleged that the party has repeatedly distanced itself from influential Muslim faces. He also credited Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for his own political success and said their support helped him win the Lok Sabha election.
SP Hits Back, Questions Congress Leadership
The Samajwadi Party reacted to Masood’s comments. SP leaders questioned why the Congress high command had remained silent despite repeated statements from its MP. They described Masood’s remarks as harmful to opposition unity and warned that such attacks could weaken the INDI bloc before the Assembly elections.
Earlier, SP leader Udayveer Singh had dismissed Masood’s criticism by saying he does not carry enough influence even within his own party. The exchange has further intensified friction between the two allies.
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Seat-Sharing Debate Adds to Political Heat
The latest dispute comes as Congress leaders push for a stronger role in Uttar Pradesh. Senior Congress leader Rajkumar Gautam recently said the party would seek an equal share of seats in any alliance. Akhilesh Yadav, however, urged Congress to show a “big heart” during seat-sharing negotiations. Political observers believe these competing demands have increased pressure on the alliance ahead of the 2027 polls.
BJP Takes a Dig at Opposition Alliance
The BJP also reacted to the controversy, saying the public disagreement reflects deep divisions within the INDI bloc. The ruling party argued that the latest exchange shows Congress and the SP are struggling to maintain unity as UP moves closer to the next Assembly election.
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