Congress acting as if they are 'influential' in UP: SP post alliance failure

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan. 21 (ANI): Putting the onus on the Congress Party for the failed alliance ahead of Uttar Pradesh polls, the Samajwadi Party on Saturday said that the alliance failed to establish because of the sheer arrogance of the grand old party, who were behaving as if they were "influential" in the state. Speaking to ANI here, Samajwadi party leader Naresh Aggarwal said the Congress was offered 100 seats by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, but they were not ready to accept less than 120 seats which was not possible as the SP had 234 sitting MLAs they need to give them tickets as well. "The Congress was rigid on their demand as if they have are a great source of influence in the region and Uttar Pradesh cannot run without them," he said. Aggarwal further said that due to the rigid attitude of the Congress over the distribution of tickets, the alliance was called off. "I blame the Congress for breaking alliance and giving a boost to the BJP. We gave it our all to ensure that this alliance is forged, but could not do anything because of Congress' rigidity," he said. Meanwhile, the Congress did not confirm the breakup and continued to remain vague over an alliance with the Samajwadi Party. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Raj Babbar said that they will fight on all the seats of the first and second phase and added that there is no obstruction while having discussion on the alliance. "We have cleared the seats for first and second phase, will know about alliance till the morning," said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. According to sources, the main bone of contention between the two parties emerged when the Congress wanted more seats in Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies, the stronghold of the Gandhi family, whereas the Samajwadi Party was unwilling to field their 'failed' candidates on the same. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will release the party's manifesto at 11 a.m. tomorrow in Lucknow. (ANI)