NewDelhi: The Congress today confirmed that it was going to have an alliance with the Akhilesh-led Samajawadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, which got the ‘cycle ‘symbol and recognition as the original party by the Election Commission. The Congress confirmation comes on a day the notification for the first phase of State Assembly polls was being issued. Senior Congress leader and in charge of Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here, that decision to contest the coming Assembly polls had been taken but the details will be disclosed in the next 24 to 48 hours.
When asked whether it will be ‘grand alliance’ on the line of the one formed in Bihar, Mr Azad told reporters to wait for sometime. Senior SP leader Ramgopal Yadv, who was spearheading the Akhilesh camp, had yesterday expressed the hope that an alliance with the Congress would take place. ’’ While the final decision on alliance with the Congress is to be worked out by "new National President Akhilesh, I hope the alliance is happening", he had said After the announcement of the Election Commission order last evening. (UNI)