SP worried as defeat staring at its face: Cong

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) The Congress today rebutted the allegation levelled by the Samajwadi Party that only 45 hours time frame had been given for the formation of a new Government after the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in order to pave the way for the imposition of President's Rule in the State.

"Why should a party which has been claiming to form a Government on its own strength worry about it," Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi asked and clarified that it was not the Union Government which had fixed the time limit of May 14 for the formation of a new Government.

Mr Singhvi said the way the Samajwadi Party had expressed its anxiety about the 48 hours time frame reflected the party's fear about its dismal performance in the Assembly elections.

It was ultimately the satisfaction of the State Governor that mattered in the invitation by him to a party to form an alternative Government, he pointed out.

Mr Singhvi said Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav's party was getting worried about its future even before the results of the Assembly elections had been announced" as a certain defeat was staring at its face." Fixing the time for the dissolution of the Assembly after the elections was all a part of democratic procedure, he explained.

About the possibility of the Congress extending support to the BSP to form a Government, the Spokesman evaded the question, saying," we are able to keep our patience for the next 24 hours." UNI