BJP strikes up poll alliance with JD(U), Apna Dal for UP

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) In a major political development the Bharatiya Janata Party today entered into a poll alliance with Apna Dal and Janata Dal (United) in Uttar Pradesh by agreeing to accommodate the candidates of these parties in the coming Assembly elections.

The announcement was made by JD(U) President Sharad Yadav and BJP National Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi this evening in the presence of senior UP Leaders including state BJP president Kesri Nath Tripathi and JD(U) leaders.

With this development, Apna Dal will also become part of the the NDA. The JD(U) and Apna Dal had struck a poll understanding for the UP elections but with the polls dates nearing, the BJP -- which had announced that it would go alone -- made a turn around and Mr Naqvi had been negotiating with the leaders of the two parties for the last one week.

Mr Naqvi and Mr Yadav said the alliance had the blessings of senior BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani and the party's UP unit was actively involved in the negotiations. Apna Dal President Sone Lal Patel had a meeting with BJP President Rajnath Singh, indicating the deal was on the way.

Although the number of seats that will be allocated to the two parties have not been officially announced, the Apna Dal and J D (U) will be given around 50 to 55 seats while the BJP will be fielding candidates for the rest of the seats in the 403 member assembly. The Apna Dal will get the lion's share, sources said.

UNI