Ahead of UP Assembly elections in 2027, Congress leader Rajendra Pal Gautam said the party wants a 50-50 seat-sharing arrangement, adding, "People should understand that only Congress can defeat...BJP." "The sooner regional parties understand this, the better it'll be for them," Gautam added. Reacting to his remarks, I.N.D.I.A. bloc ally Rajeev Rai, SP MP, stated, "Nobody knows him in UP."