The Election Commission's recognition to the Akhilesh Yadav faction as the Samajwadi Party and allotting 'bicycle' symbol to it will have an impact on UP Assembly polls. Akhilesh-led SP is likely to seal its alliance with the Congress later this week, a deal that would push the combine as the main contender against the resurgent BJP in the coming elections in UP.

SP and Congress together will seek to offer a stronger and cleaner alternative to the Muslim electorate which will be looking for a party that could defeat BJP as the hustings. Muslim voters, who account for nearly 20 percent of Uttar Pradesh's population, can make or mar the electoral prospects of key political parties vying for the top slot in the high stake elections.

Political analysts said a section of Yadavs and Muslims might still go with party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav but a majority of them will move towards the Akhilesh group as they look at him as a new hope in the state.