BSP chief Mayawati’s categorical rejection of an alliance notwithstanding, the Congress is still hopeful that a ‘‘last-minute’’ deal will be worked out soon, sources said.
While Congress president Sonia Gandhi spoke to Mayawati on the eve of her mahapardafash rally in Lucknow last Saturday, other party functionaries are talking to their BSP counterparts even at this late stage, it is learnt.
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The BSP, however, insists there is absolutely ‘‘no room left’’ for any understanding and dismisses Congress claims to the contrary as ‘‘just a sign of desperation’’. BSP spokesman Sudhir Goel said: ‘‘There is no question of any alliance anymore. It is one thousand per cent impossible.’’
He said Mayawati’s statement at the Lucknow rally, and in Bhopal today, was the ‘‘final word’’. ‘‘My president has declared that the BSP will contest on its own. There will be no alliance with any national party or regional party. We will contest all 80 seats in UP and field candidates throughout the country,’’ he added.
