Key allies still hopeful of negotiations

Key allies of ruling Congress party on Wednesday continued hectic negotiations to narrow down differences over seat-sharing talks for national polls beginning next month. Lalu Prasad Yadav, chief of regional Rashtriya Janata Dal, a key player in Bihar state, underplayed rift with Congress. Mulayam Singh Yadav, chief of socialist Samajwadi Party, also hoped to resolve differences with Congress over seat sharing issues for the politically decisive Uttar Pradesh.