LUCKNOW, Sept. 18 -- As it is yet to make its presence felt in Uttar Pradesh, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to focus on panchayat polls scheduled in the state next year following which the party's central leadership will take any decision on the 2027 UP assembly election.

In all probability, the Samajwadi Party, the Congress and the AAP will enter into an alliance for assembly polls in the state. Uttar Pradesh still remains an impregnable fortress for the AAP. Barring panchayat and civic polls, the party has not been able to get a breakthrough in assembly polls in the state. For AAP, panchayat polls in the state are as crucial as assembly polls as it will help the party build its base across the state, especially in rural pockets...