Congress Appointment of Imran Masood Causes Unease in Samajwadi Party Ahead of UP Polls

Seat Sharing Worries

The Congress party's decision to name Saharanpur MP Imran Masood as the working president of its Uttar Pradesh unit has created friction with its ally, the Samajwadi Party, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections due in February 2027. While SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary stated this appointment would not impact seat-sharing talks, other SP leaders privately expressed discomfort, viewing the move as a pressure tactic by the Congress to secure more seats and compete for Muslim votes.

Party Reactions

SP leaders noted that Masood often creates uneasiness through his remarks on the alliance, with one insider questioning the role he will be given in seat-sharing discussions by senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The Congress wants an early decision on seat-sharing to avoid being forced to accept whatever seats the SP offers. Meanwhile, a senior Congress leader mentioned that the party leadership has directed Masood to refrain from further attacks on the SP and expressed hope that both camps will soon settle their differences.

Political Background

Fifty-six-year-old Imran Masood is a first-time MP with a long political history in western Uttar Pradesh, having previously moved between the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and the Bahujan Samaj Party before returning to the Congress. In September 2025, Masood publicly stated that Akhilesh Yadav's political activity was meaningless unless the alliance was finalized immediately and urged the SP to have a large heart. In June 2025, he also rejected the previous 62-17 formula used in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections for the upcoming 2027 polls.

Context

Alliances between regional parties and national parties in state elections often involve intense negotiations over seat distribution and vote-bank influence. Disagreements over key leaders and constituency strongholds are common as partners try to maximize their electoral leverage against major opponents like the BJP.