Will contest Lok Sabha election alone in UP: Congress

Kanpur, Mar 19 (UNI) AICC general secretary and Uttar Pradesh unit in charge Digvijay Singh today said the Congress would contest the coming Lok Sabha election all alone in the state.

''The party would not do political alliance with any regional party in the LS poll,'' the Congress leader said here.

Mr Singh reached here in connection with a two-day UP Congress Committee convention scheduled for March 30 and 31.

He further accused state Chief Minister Mayawati of misappropriation of funds provided by the Centre, saying she was busy spending money on parks and buildings in the name of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar.

In reference to the CM's demand of trifurcation of UP, the Congress leader said his party was in favour of second state reorganisation commission.

Claiming that no regional parties had made any significant development during their period in power, Mr Singh said only Congress can look after all the sections of society.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi would address the party convention, Mr Singh informed adding, while the Amethi MP will remain in the city for both the days, Ms Gandhi will attend the convention on March 31. She will first address party workers and later a public rally in Phool Bagh ground.

He said the Congress convention was being organised after a gap of 26 years in Kanpur. The last convention was held in 1982.

UPCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Leader of Congress Legislative party in the state Pramod Tiwari and Union Minister of state for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal were also present on the occasion.

UNI AKM/JAS akj ht1904