Congress open to option of contesting LS polls from UP alone

NEW DELHI: With the Congress-SP seat sharing talks in Uttar Pradesh hitting a rough patch, the ruling party at the Centre is exploring the option of going it alone in the Lok Sabha elections next year.
    
"The option of contesting without any alliance is open. We are exploring all political possibilities," said a senior Congress leader.
    
The party leader admitted that there were difficulties in the seat sharing talks due to claims and counter claims by both the parties on several seats in the politically crucial state with 80 Lok Sabha constituencies.
    
"The third round of talks for seat sharing is yet to begin between the two parties. Samajwadi Party (SP) is not budging and is adamant that we (Congress) should not get more than 12-15 seats," the leader said.
    
The senior leader claimed that the SP is in need of an alliance with the Congress in UP at this point more than any other time.
    
"The Mulayam Singh-led party is already at the receiving end in the state due to the hostile approach of UP Chief Minister Mayawati. They cannot afford a hostile government at the Centre if they come to power in the state," he added.
    
Party sources, however, were still hopeful that a seat sharing formula will be hammered out as this was in "larger political interest" of both the parties.