{
  "id": 20126099,
  "title": "Congress wants to contest 181 seats in 2027 UP polls, indicates Akhilesh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/congress-wants-to-contest-181-seats-in-2027-up-polls-indicates",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T05:48:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/congress-wants-to-contest-181-seats-in-2027-up-polls-indicates-akhilesh/article71704171.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Congress has expressed its desire to contest 181 seats in the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, according to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The Congress party has firmly asserted that the INDIA bloc will remain united to defeat the ruling BJP in the State. While the Congress party initially responded to questions about contesting 100 seats, they later clarified their demand for 181 seats, adding one more from the initial suggestion of 180 seats. Akhilesh Yadav stated that the Samajwadi Party and the INDIA alliance will defeat the BJP together, emphasizing that they have made up their minds on the number of seats they will contest. The theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya is set to be a significant issue in the polls. The Congress party, along with the SP, has a history of forging alliances, and the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister dismissed suggestions of forming alliances with other parties. Yadav also announced his planned visit to the Kedareshwar Dham temple in Etawah before seeking blessings at the Ram temple, emphasizing his commitment to seeking the blessings of Lord Ram. The SP leader criticized the BJP-led state government for failing to protect religious sentiments, accusing them of allowing theft from the Ram temple offerings. Yadav further alleged corruption in infrastructure projects and discrimination against Uttar Pradesh, accusing the BJP of failing to deliver on promises of investment, employment, and development.",
  "summary": "Asked if the demand was of 200 seats, he replied, \"A little less than that.\" When the interviewer suggested 180 seats, Mr. Yadav said, \"Add one more,\" indicating that the Congress has sought 181 seats from the SP",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Congress wants 181 seats in UP polls: Akhilesh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/congress-wants-181-seats-in-up-polls-akhilesh",
        "published": "2026-11-15T02:00:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "SP has made up its mind on how many seats it will contest in UP elections: Akhilesh Yadav at HT Leadership Summit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/sp-has-made-up-its-mind-on-how-many-seats-it-will-contest-in-up",
        "published": "2026-11-15T02:30:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV - India News",
        "title": "\"Congress Seeking 181 Seats In 2027 UP Assembly Elections\": Akhilesh Yadav",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/congress-seeking-181-seats-in-2027-up-assembly-elections-akhilesh",
        "published": "2026-11-15T03:15:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}