SP not to field candidates against Sonia, Rahul

The Samajwadi Party said Tuesday it will not field candidates against Congress president Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareli) and her son and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi (Amethi).

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav made the announcement, saying this was the final decision of the party.

Informed sources said the announcement followed a Congress decision not to put up candidates against party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in Mainpuri and Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav in Kannauj.

Sonia Gandhi will file her nomination papers from Rae Bareli Wednesday. The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Supreme Court lawyer Ajay Agarwal against Sonia Gandhi.