First snub: Confident Congress wants no alliance with BSP

In a meeting, although Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh showed interest in alliance, Rajasthan didn’t.

While the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Congress is considering a tie-up with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to tap Dalit votes for the upcoming assembly polls, the Rajasthan state unit has expressed disinterest for any such alliance.

Rahul Gandhi. (PTI FILE)

Confident of party’s win in Rajasthan looking to anti-incumbency and trend of change in government every five years, the state Congress leadership has apprise the high command with ground realities in the meeting held last week chaired by AICC President Rahul Gandhi.

In the meeting were presidents’ of election-bound states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. A senior leader said BSP has asked for alliance in all the three states – where Congress presidents of MP and Chhattisgarh have showed interest but not Rajasthan.

In last three assembly elections, the BSP despite fielding candidates on almost each assembly has failed to receive results accordingly and managed to get few in North-Eastern region. In 2003, the party fielded candidates on 124 seats and won two (Bandikui and Karauli), managing 6.40% votes in seats contested.

A senior Congress leader on anonymity said in the meeting with Gandhi, while discussing political scenario and party’s position, the issue of alliance with BSP was also taken-up. The state chief of MP and Chhattisgarh showed interest as their BJP has been for three terms, while Rajasthan state Chief Sachin Pilot did not explaining political reality and BSP’s presence. The Congress in Rajasthan is confident of winning elections.

Commenting on the ongoing talks of alliance with Congress, a state BSP leader said, “offering 7-8 seats cannot be considered as alliance.” He questioned how such connect could be called alliance and can be fruitful?