Now Reading: SP MLA, Congress MP spar over speaking time in Saharanpur
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SP MLA, Congress MP spar over speaking time in Saharanpur
Samajwadi Party MLA Ashu Malik and Congress MP Imran Masood clashed over speaking time during a Disha meeting in Saharanpur on August 18, with a video of their heated exchange going viral. The incident has drawn attention as the SP and Congress explore a possible alliance for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly election.
Malik said 80 per cent of the questions he raised were from the public, and he objected when Masood asked him to let other members speak. Masood, who chairs the meeting, said it was his responsibility to give everyone a chance. Both later downplayed the incident, calling it a discussion over meeting rules.
BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari shared the video on social media, describing it as a fight between Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav's parties. Malik said the exchange should not be given too much importance and that there was no question of the alliance being affected.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Disha committee is a statutory body chaired by the local MP that reviews central scheme implementation. While a spat between alliance partners is not unusual, this incident comes as SP and Congress negotiate seat-sharing for the 2027 UP polls. Past alliances in the state have frayed over similar public disagreements. The key signal to watch is whether either party's leadership issues a formal statement on the incident, which would indicate the alliance is under strain. If both remain silent, it is likely being treated as routine political theatre.
Source: indiatoday.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
