Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has exited the still under-construction “grand secular alliance” in Uttar Pradesh which will be led by ruling Samajwadi Party.
Talking to India TV, Samajwadi Party vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda confirmed that the seat sharing formula did not work out with the RLD and only Congress and SP will be part of the alliance.
On the seat-sharing formula in the alliance, Nanda said, “Congress will contest seats which it won in last election or came second. SP will contest on seats which it won in 2012 or secured second position.”
When asked about a list of candidates given by Mulayam Singh Yadav to his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the Rajya Sabha MP said the tickets will be given from that list if the names are found suitable.
As per reports, the talks between RLD, INC and SP broke after Ajit Singh stuck to his demand for at least 28 seats for his party. The SP and Congress were unwilling to share more than 20 seats.
Apart from SP and Congress, a faction of Apna Dal, JD(U), NCP and even the Trinamool Congress are coming on board to build a Bihar-style grand alliance to defeat BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
Seven-phased UP Assembly polls for 403 constituencies will be held on February 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, March 4 and 8.
