Ahead of UP Assembly polls, Prashant Kishor meets CM Akhilesh

Congress poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Monday met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at the latter's official residence here.

Earlier during the day, Akhilesh said any decision on a grand alliance for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls will be taken by Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and stressed that he would give his suggestions only at party platform.

Kishor earlier on November 1 met Mulayam who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties.

Putting an end to all speculations over the Congress allying with the Samajwadi Party for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, party's state in-charge Raj Babbar yesterday categorically stated that there has been no talk so far with regard to entering into an alliance to contest next year's polls.

According to reports, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has conveyed the message that his party is ready to form a grand alliance with Samajwadi Party if Akhilesh emerges as a consensus face within the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led party.

On the possibility of a grand alliance, state Samajwadi Party president Shivpal Yadav said, "When it materialises, I will tell you." Samajwadi Party, which was initially part of Bihars grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there.

The grand alliance of Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress had, however, scripted a major electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA.