Congress-SP tieup for UP polls unlikely

The crisis in the Samajwadi Party has fuelled talks of a grand alliance taking shape in Uttar Pradesh, but according to party sources, SP president is unlikely to agree to an alliance with the Congress.

Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav has had a telephonic conversation with Rashtriya Lok Dal president Ajit Singh and but is yet to open channels of communication with the JD(U). The RLD and JD(U), on the other hand, are close to finalising their alliance for UP.

Talking to this correspondent, a senior minister who is close to Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday said that the party was not in favour of any alliance with the Congress.

An alliance with the Congress would be suicidal for the Samajwadi Party since it would have to share its Muslim vote base with the party and Mulayam would never agree to this.