SP,not BSP,main rival: Cong tells cadres

With opinion polls favouring a hung verdict and the Samajwadi Party emerging as the single largest party in UP,the Congress has decided to shift its focus and has told its cadres that the SP,and not the BSP,is their main competitor.

AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh,in charge of UP polls,said,“We are fighting against the SP now. While the BJP is nowhere in the state and everyone knows that,even the BSP has lost all its ground in the past few months. Thus,at this stage of elections,our main fight is with the SP.” Asked what has changed the situation,he said,“The BSP has lost the trust of people and as people of UP are looking for change,we are now fighting against the SP.”

Simultaneously,the party has decided to send out a clear signal that it will not have a post-poll alliance with SP or any party. AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi has said this in his recent speeches. “Even if the Congress gets two to four seats,we will not ally with thieves and goons,” he has said.

Party sources said this was necessary to quell speculation about a post-poll alliance with SP. “There are reports that we will ally with the SP after polls. This can hurt the party. It has become imperative to send out a clear message that we are an independent player,” said a Congress leader.