Mr. Yadav also hailed the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh and emphasised that his “courtesy call” meetings with Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati post the tie-up should not be construed as a “pressure tactic” aimed at the Congress. “I don’t find anything wrong if the Congress plays a pivotal role in forming the alliance or taking the leadership role of the alliance into the elections. “In States where Congress don’t have a robust base, it must allow regional outfits to occupy the frontal-attack position against the BJP,” Mr. Yadav said, emphasising that regional parties have a greater ability to transfer votes. We have seen that SP-BSP alliance has decided not to field their candidates in Amethi and Raebareli,” Mr. Yadav said. Mr. Yadav also hit out at those dubbing his meeting with Mr. Yadav and Ms. Mayawati in Lucknow as a pressure tactic aimed at the Congress, saying his family always had close ties with the two leaders and the meetings were courtesy calls.

Source: The Hindu January 20, 2019 13:29 UTC