Cong keeps post-poll options open in UP
Despite being at loggerheads with the BSP in the run-up to Assembly elections in UP, the Congress will consider having post-poll alliance with the pro-Dalit party.
“The most likely post-poll alliance to take place in UP will be that of the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. However, if BSP emerges as the single largest party then Congress can also go for an alliance with the current ruling party,” a senior Congress leader said.
Asked if this alliance will not hurt the image of Rahul Gandhi, who has been campaigning vigorously against the Mayawati government, the leader said: “Sometimes you may not like a party, but then you go for an alliance since you don’t have any option.”
Another senior party leader said: “Congress is keeping all options open in UP because it wants to stabilize the uncertain situation at the Centre, where it is having problems with a key UPA ally, the TMC.”
Tie up with either SP or BSP having 22 and 21 Lok Sabha MPs respectively can provide relief to the Congress at the Centre, where tension seems to be escalating with Trinamool Congress (TMC), which has 19 MPs in the lower house.
