Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai on Tuesday, 30 June sharply criticised Rajendra Pal Gautam, the newly appointed Congress in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, over his public demand for an equal seat-sharing arrangement with the SP ahead of the UP Assembly elections due around April 2027. Rai accused Gautam of making 'irresponsible remarks' purely to 'establish his own identity and remain in the news,' noting that 'no one in Uttar Pradesh knew him earlier.'

What Gautam Said

Gautam had publicly called for parity in seat distribution between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party for the 403-seat UP Assembly. 'I would personally like there to be an equal share. The top leadership will decide once discussions take place. I am not authorised to make an announcement beforehand, but we will certainly advocate for an equal share,' Gautam said in an interview.

Rai's Rebuttal

'He is new. No one in Uttar Pradesh knew him earlier, so he is making such statements to establish his identity,' Rai said. The SP leader urged Gautam to focus on the bigger picture: 'Changing the government in Uttar Pradesh is far more important than making irresponsible remarks.' Rai added that speaking through the media would 'neither strengthen the alliance nor bring about a change in government,' and called on Congress to route any seat-sharing discussions through formal party-to-party leadership channels.

Context: Who Is Rajendra Pal Gautam

Congress named Rajendra Pal Gautam, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and ex-Delhi minister, as its UP in-charge last week, replacing Ajay Kumar Lallu. Gautam's appointment comes as the party attempts to rebuild its presence in the state where it won just two seats in the 2022 Assembly elections. His public profile in UP remains limited — a point Rai underscored by referencing Gautam's failed attempt last month to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati at her Lucknow residence, an unscheduled visit that did not result in a meeting. 'Nobody even knew him before that,' Rai reiterated.

INDIA Bloc Unity Under Strain

Rai stressed that internal discipline within the INDIA bloc is critical, especially after what he described as a morale-boosting moment: the alliance's success in defeating the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. 'People's expectations from us have increased since we defeated them in the Lok Sabha,' he said. 'Do not disappoint anyone,' he added, directing the remark at Gautam. The episode highlights a recurring tension within the INDIA alliance — junior partners seeking greater leverage ahead of state polls, while dominant regional forces like the SP guard their turf. In UP, where the SP is the principal opposition force, any Congress demand for equal seat-sharing is widely seen as a negotiating opener rather than a realistic ask, given the party's near-negligible electoral footprint in the state.

What Happens Next

Formal seat-sharing talks between the SP and Congress for the 2027 UP Assembly polls are yet to begin at the leadership level. The SP has not publicly responded to Gautam's demand beyond Rai's remarks. With elections still roughly nine months away, the alliance's internal arithmetic — and who gets to set it — will be closely watched.