Decision about RLD, Jana Morcha, Cong alliance likely tomorrow

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) As the notification for the seven-phase Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh were issued in Lucknow today, the national capital here witnessed hectic efforts to finalise an alliance of former Prime Minister VP Singh-led Jana Morcha, the Rashtriya Lok Dal of Ajit Singh and the Congress.

The BJP has already declared its partnership with the Apna Dal and the JD(U) for the state elections.

A Jana Morcha source told UNI that Mr Ajit Singh had a meeting with Jana Morcha convenor Raj Babbar tonight to discuss the issue.

''All will depend on how many seats the Congress is ready to concede,'' he said.

According to a senior RLD leader, the crucial decision about the party joining the proposed alliance with the Morcha, and the Congress was likely tomorrow.

Mr VP Singh and Mr Babbar are already reported to have met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders.

The prospect of formation of such an alliance are very bright in view of the fact that the BSP, the No two in the state, had already declared its intention to go it alone in the state, thus ruling out possibility of any understanding with the Congress.

The parties forming the Jan Morcha include the CPI, CPI(M-L), the Indian Justice Party headed by Udit Raj and some smaller parties.

Besides it has also in its fold the NCP and the LJP.

The exercise of finalising seat distribution among BJP allies is also going on in full steam.

Bharatiya Janata Party's head of state election campaign committee and former chief minister Kalyan Singh yesterday held a meeting with party Chief Rajnath Singh along with state BJP Chief Kesarinath Tripathi.

Mr Singh, who is being projected as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate in the state, discussed seat adjustments and other issues with the party president and other senior leaders.

The announcement regarding the distribution of seats with the allies will be made shortly.

According to the notification issued today, the first phase of polls, involving 62 seats in 13 districts where polling would be held on April 7.

UNI