Natwar Singh says he would oppose Congress in UP assembly elections

NEW DELHI: Disregarding Congress criticism, suspended party leader K Natwar Singh on Monday joined a press conference addressed by Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh and said he would oppose Congress in the forthcoming assembly polls in the state.

Singh, who had earlier this month virtually dared the party leadership to expel him for sharing SP platform in Lucknow, came out in stout support of UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav who will face a trust-vote in the state assembly on February 26.

"Yadav should be allowed to prove his majority on the floor of the House... nothing will be lost by waiting for a few days," the former External Affairs Minister said.

"Assembly elections are going to be held in the state. I, along with Samajwadi Party, will oppose Congress party in the next polls", he said.

Asked if it was so, then why he was not joining Samajwadi Party, Singh who was considered to be close to the Gandhi family, said he would not like to "open his cards at this juncture".

He also explained that his relation with Samajwadi Party goes back 11 years ago when Mulayam Singh offered him a Lok Sabha seat before Sonia Gandhi decided to enter politics.

Ram Gopal Yadav, brother of UP Chief Minister, and Jaya Bachchan were also present at the press conference at the SP headquarters.