RJD, SP should not be part of govt: Rajiv Shukla

With the UPA getting a near majority in Lok Sabha polls, a Congress leader today said that its estranged allies Samajwadi Party and RJD, which had contested on their own, should not be part of the next government.  

"The fact remains both Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav are not the core allies (of Congress). They have not contested with us. They contested on their own and Congress contested on its own in both the states," party leader Rajiv Shukla told NDTV.  

He said, the core allies, with whom the Congress fought the elections this time, will remain intact.  

"There are lot many small groups, independents who are available. They are more than willing to support the (next) government," Shukla said.  

He said this was his personal opinion and the final decision on alliance will be taken by the party high command.  Asked whether party leaders are reluctant to get SP on board, he left the decision to the High Command and Congress Working Committee.  

"Party leaders will decide on the post-poll alliance, whether they need any post-poll alliance or not," he said.