NEW DELHI: The war of words between Congress and Samajwadi Party took a fresh turn over who will lead the fight against the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.The latest disagreement started after SP MP Iqra Hasan said Congress “can’t achieve much on its own” and claimed that party chief Akhilesh Yadav was the only leader who could defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Congress leaders quickly pushed back.Congress MP Imran Masood said, “She (Iqra Hasan) also cannot do it alone. What is the problem with that? Iqra is our child. She is like our niece.”“People from the Trinamool Congress were also saying a lot. Look at what happened in Bengal. Let us move together, and we will remain in peace,” he added.Congress leader Udit Raj also questioned Iqra’s claim, pointing to the SP’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.“That may be her (Iqra Hasan’s) own statement, but we can understand this through an example: when the alliance was formed in 2024, the Samajwadi Party won 36 seats. What was its performance before that? The Samajwadi Party had only six MPs in 2019. So, in politics, one plus one does not always make two; one plus one can make eleven. Therefore, I think she should correct her understanding,” Udit Raj told IANS.The BJP has also joined the exchange, questioning whether the opposition parties can stay united. Uttar Pradesh BJP vice-president Neeraj Singh said, “Congress will not be able to achieve anything on its own across the country. And even if it forms an alliance with the Samajwadi Party or any other party in Uttar Pradesh, the people of Uttar Pradesh have already formed an alliance in their hearts with the BJP government.
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“Iqra had made the remarks on Monday, saying, “It is an absolutely foolish statement. I think that if there is anyone in Uttar Pradesh who can defeat the BJP, it is only Akhilesh Yadav. Congress will not be able to do anything on its own. If the alliance remains, it will be very good; if it does not, it is a loss for them (Congress), not for us.”The exchange comes as both parties prepare for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly election. While the BJP is preparing keep its foot strong in the state to have third-term in country’s largest state assembly.