LUCKNOW, Aug. 28 -- As Uttar Pradesh heads towards another high-stakes assembly election, the emerging Congress-Samajwadi Party strategy is shaping up as a test of political chemistry, with Rahul Gandhi's political makeover and Akhilesh Yadav's organisational machinery on the ground complementing each other.

The larger objective is to hold the opposition alliance together to credibly challenge the BJP's entrenched political dominance.

Rahul Gandhi's increased presence in UP, particularly the success of the recent 'Chattron Ki Goonj' in Prayagraj, has elated the party. Rahul came to Rae Bareli on January 19-21 for a MGNREGA programme, March 13 in Lucknow for the Samvidhan Sammelan, May 19-20 again in Rae Bareli and August 8 in Prayagraj....