Lucknow: The new formidable alliance of the ruling Samajwadi Party and the Congress fighting out to resolve the dispute over identifying their seats is all set to give a push to their campaign jointly in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls very soon. To launch their campaign, both Samajwadi Party president and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will jointly launch the campaign from Lucknow probably on Sunday next. Both the leaders are expected to address a joint press conference in Lucknow and thereafter will venture in the western parts of the state which goes to polls in the first two phases on February 11 and 15.
Earlier, the two were scheduled make a joint announcement about the alliance on Janaury 22, but later the two state chiefs Raj Babbar and Naresh Uttam did the honour and addressed a press conference in Lucknow. The deal was sealed after overcoming a series of hiccups. However, the low-profile launch couldn't make the desired impact, therefore a joint press conference has been hastily planned. Akhilesh has already started addressing rallies, but Rahul is so far busy in Punjab which is going to the polls in the first phase on February 11. He is likely to come back to Lucknow for a joint press conference on Sunday, Janaury 29.
Therafter, joint rallies of the two leaders are likely to be scheduled. "The Akhilesh-Rahul show is aimed at removing confusion and promote mutual confidence to make it a smooth and long-lasting friendship," says a UP Congress leader. Large-scale preparations are undergoing to make the joint press conference a mega event. An extensive media coverage of the event has been planned. Sources said that Akhilesh and Rahul-Priyanka Vadra are in constant touch through strategist Prashant Kishore to draw the strategy for the campaign.
Already SP was prepared with the Vikas Rath with the photos of Mulayam , Akhilesh, Rahul, Dimple and Priyanka and it will venture in different parts of the state to campaign soon. Under the alliance pact SP would contest in 298 seats while 105 would be contested by the congress in UP polls. Though there are still some confusing over identifying the seats particularly in the Rae Bareli and Amethi districts the Nehru-Gandhi borough, but both parties are confidant in solving the issues very soon. (UNI)
