After Maya's grand alliance snub, Cong says creases can be ironed out

Randeep Singh Surjewala said the BSP supremo has expressed her confidence in Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi

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In the face of BSP chief Mayawati ruling out an alliance with Congress for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan assembly polls, the Congress on Wednesday appeared hopeful of an understanding with her party saying "creases can be ironed out".

Refusing to read much into Mayawati's allegations against the Congress, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the BSP supremo has expressed her confidence in Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, which was most important.

"Mayawati has expressed respect and confidence vis-a-vis Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi and that is the most important issue rather than looking for multiple meanings in her statements.

"At times, out of emotions, sweet and bitter things are said. Once the two leaders have an amicable, respectable and fruitful relationship with each other, all other creases can be ironed out. I don't think that alliances are discussed or announced in press conferences," Surrjewala told the media after Mayawati declared she was not aligning with the Congress for Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh polls.

Asserting that the Congress' sole aim was to uproot the BJP from power in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Surjewala said the party's alliance committee formed by Rahul Gandhi will decide and deliberate on stitching up alliances or understanding with state-specific parties.

"Our only aim is to free Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh from the misrule of BJP. In this journey, whoever is willing to walk with us is welcome and those who don't want, are free to tread their own path," he added.