Rahul Gandhi discusses option of alliance with UP Congress leaders

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday discussed options of an alliance in the coming Vidhan Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh with his party leaders.

In a closed door meeting with legislators, Gandhi discussed the options of an alliance on the pattern of Bihar where the party put up a good show as part of grand alliance in the assembly polls winning 27 of 41 seats contested, a party MLA said on condition of anonymity. Half the legislators were of the opinion that the party should enter into an alliance while the other half were against it but none of them were in favour that the party should go with the Samajwadi Party, he said.

Those in favour said the party could enter into alliance with either the BSP or RLD. The Congress vice president asked the legislators to go to their areas and work hard for strengthening the party base. The decision on alliance will be taken only after holding proper consultation with the peoples representatives and others, the Congress leader has assured.

The Congress leader exuded confidence that the party will spring a surprise in the 2017 polls and form its government.