The Congress may extend outside support to Bahujan Samaj Party which is set to emerge as a clear winner in the Uttar Pradesh polls.
LUCKNOW/ NEW DELHI: The Congress may extend outside support to the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party which is set to emerge as a clear winner in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls .
As per the latest trends available, the BSP was way ahead of the ruling Samajwadi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party in the 403-member assembly.
Sources close to Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee(UPCC) said here that though the final proposal would be sent to BSP supremo Mayawati after the announcement of the final tally, the party was contemplating giving outside support to the BSP.
Meanwhile, the state BSP headquarters was abuzz with acitivities as party workers, smelling victory, took a headlong plunge into celebration mode.
"The results are on the expected lines and the party is likely to form a majority government in the state," BSP general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra said.
UPCC chief Salman Khursheed said his party would decide on its post-poll stand in the key state after all the results were out and a clear picture was available and maintained that its leadership will be open to all 'propositions'.
However, Union Minister Kapil Sibal, who actively campaigned for the party in the state, said that he would not hazard a guess. Probably Khursheed has better information but he would not hazard a guess, saying it would be decided at a 'higher level'.
Sibal said that the Congress Working Committee and party President Sonia Gandhi would take a decision. "Our target was the decimation of the Samajwadi Party and we have succeeded in it," he said, congratulating Mayawati on her party's performance.
Khursheed said if BSP got 200 seats in the 403-member Assembly, then Mayawati could form the government on her own.
But if she fell short of a majority then 'everybody has a role' in the formation of the next government.
He, however, said Congress was not looking to form a government or helping any party. Rather it was interested in regaining its lost moorings in the state where it hoped to get a higher percentage of the votes, he said.
Asked about Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi's role in the polls, he said the young leader showed an attitude of courage and was in Uttar Pradesh not to fight the elections but to build the party.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}