Dressed in identical white kurta-pyjamas and black jackets, the leaders started the joint conference with a hug. In the first public appearance after the SP and Congress formalised the poll alliance, Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Yadav justified the tie-up. Seat sharing is a “peripheral issue” not “fundamental” to the alliance,” Mr. Gandhi said, telling the media that it took the “posturing” by the two parties too seriously. “We want to contest elections on the similarities,”The two leaders took a short break from their campaigning when the maghrib azan, the Muslim call for evening prayer, was sounded. And reaching out to the minority, the hallmark of the alliance, was also in focus in the route chosen by the leaders for their road show.

Source: The Hindu January 29, 2017 12:22 UTC