Our doors are always open: Cong to SP

With seat-sharing between them virtually on the rocks, Congress, possibly having post-poll scene in mind, today told its ally Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh that doors will always remain open from its side.

With seat-sharing between them virtually on the rocks, Congress, possibly having post-poll scene in mind, on Friday told its ally Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh that doors will always remain open from its side.

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At the same time, Congress said it will release a second list of candidates for Lok Sabha polls for the state in the next three-four days.

“There is a meeting of our party in the next 3-4 days to decide what should be the strategy. It would be decided one way or the other,” AICC General Secretary in-charge of UP, Digvijay Singh told reporters in New Delhi.

Asked whether the alliance with SP was over in the state, Singh said “from our side, the doors will always be open”.

Seeking to put the blame on SP for the failure in reaching the seat adjustment, he said in every alliance, one has to decide candidates after a consensus is reached with the alliance partner. Unfortunately, SP has been releasing its list consistently (without consulting us)" he said.

The Congress leader said the party always held that except 6-8 seats, there could be an alliance with SP in the remaining 72-74 seats.

“Friendly fight is not a new concept. But this was not acceptable to SP,” Singh added.

To a querry when Congress would release its second list for UP, Singh said “in the next 3-4 days”.

He also said the party will contest more than 24 seats.