Hard bargaining is on between the Congress and Ajit Singh’s Rashtriya Lok Dal ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, as leaders of the two parties met Thursday night to iron out differences and strike a deal.
The Congress, keen to find a foothold in western UP, is learnt to have agreed to the RLD chief’s demand to be allowed to contest 60 Assembly segments in an alliance, and for Mr Ajit Singh’s induction into the Union Cabinet.
The Thursday night talks remained inconclusive as some Congress leaders appeared reluctant to give the RLD chief the surface transport portfolio, plus one minister of state slot, Congress sources said.
AICC spokesperson Rashid Alvi confirmed that talks were on with the RLD: “We are talking, and we feel we’ll soon be able to seal a seat-sharing deal with Ajit Singh in UP.”
Sources said Mr Digvijay Singh, AICC general secretary in charge of UP, and screening committee in-charge for UP Mohan Prakash held detailed talks with the RLD chief. “Most contentious issues are resolved. Only a few minor glitches are there, and these will be sorted out soon,” a source said.
The Congress screening committee Thursday also cleared a fourth list of 40 party candidates for UP, but a final decision will be taken on this by party president Sonia Gandhi at a central election committee meeting on Saturday. No seats have yet been announced in western UP.