- Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav address the first ever “Gathbandhan” rally post the SP-Congress alliance announcement.
- ‘Progress, prosperity & peace’ is the alliance’s motto.
- Analysts said Congress had bleak winning chances, which are set to improve with the tie-up.
As for an alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the leaders did not rule out the possibility. - Gandhi said Congress backed SP because of Akhilesh’s “good intentions”.
- The alliance will fight “fascist forces” of BJP and RSS.
- Mulayam Singh Yadav said he was against the alliance of the two parties.
Alliance with Congress Was Not Needed
Hours after Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi delivered their first joint address, after the announcement of the SP-Congress alliance, Mulayam Singh Yadav denounced it.
The party supremo said that his party was capable of contesting and winning the elections alone and didn’t need Congress’ help.
SP is capable enough to contest and win elections alone. There was no need for the alliance with Congress.
He also said that he will not be campaigning on behalf of the newly-formed alliance, as he is against the “samjhauta”.
Yadav asked what the party leaders will do whose tickets have been snatched as they will have to wait for five more years to contest the polls.
Road Show Begins
Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav began their road show in Lucknow after delivering their first joint address since the Congress-SP alliance was announced.
'Akhilesh Has Good Intentions'
Rahul Gandhi attacked the RSS saying that it doesn’t have good intentions.
He said Congress is backing the SP because Akhilesh has “good intentions”.
Hum jaante the ki Akhilesh ji ka intention sahi tha, isiliye hum support karna chahte hain; RSS ka niyat saaf nahi hai.Rahul Gandhi