No possibility of alliance with BSP or SP in Uttar Pradesh: Congress

Congress on Saturday ruled out any tie up with the BSP or the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and said party vice president has been "misquoted" on the possibility of an alliance with Mayawati-led party for the Assembly polls next year.

"Congress Vice President has been misquoted by the social media entities on the possibility of an alliance with BSP in Uttar Pradesh. In UP, Congress will not have any alliance with BSP or Samajwadi Party," party General Secretary Madhusudan Mistry said in a statement.

Earlier, a news website had quoted Gandhi suggesting possibility of an alliance with BSP if it agreed to an arrangement like the Congress has with the Left Front in West Bengal. The website had quoted Gandhi ruling out any possibility of tying up with the ruling Samajwadi Party.

"An alliance with the BSP could, however, be worked out if the party agrees to an arrangement like the Congress has with the Left Front in West Bengal. The alliance though would be long shot, Rahul seemed to suggest, as BSP chief Mayawati may be unwilling to give the Congress as many seats as it wants," the website had said.

To revive its fortunes in UP, Congress has roped in poll strategist Prashant Kishor, to help and assist the PCC to devise an election strategy. Congress is out of power in Uttar Pradesh for the last 27 years in the wake of emergence of Mandal and Mandir issues and the rise of the BSP.