Congress eyes tough deal with SP ahead of Uttar Pradesh election showdown

Congress leader <b>Priyanka Gandhi</b> is front‑and‑center as the party seeks a <b>hard‑nosed alliance</b> with the Samajwadi Party (SP) ahead of the <b>Uttar Pradesh</b> state elections slated for early 2024. The bargaining table is clogged with years of mistrust, delayed seat‑sharing talks and a bureaucracy that moves at a glacial pace, leaving grassroots workers uncertain about vote‑share promises. If Congress secures a favourable pact, it could reshape the contest for millions of voters across the state.