Congress hints at SP alliance as Akhilesh-Mulayam feud continues

Akhilesh-Mulayam battle continues, despite efforts by others for a compromise

The Congress made some pro-alliance noises in Uttar Pradesh, even as a patch-up attempt between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh proved futile.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, in charge of Congress affairs in Lucknow, hinted to party seniors there at a possible alliance with the SP. He said the Congress was preparing to fight in all 403 legislative assembly seats for the coming election but there was also a need for secular forces to come together to defeat the "communal" Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Congress chief ministerial nominee Sheila Dikshit told his newspaper: "I am prepared to withdraw my