Hobnobbing begins; Khurshid rushes to Raj Bhawan

Lucknow, May 11: Uttar Pradesh Congress president Salman Khurshidmet state governor T V Rajeswar today amid reports of the partyextending outside support to the Bahujan Samaj Party which is thefrontrunner to form the next government in the state.

Mr Khurshid was closeted with the Governor for about an hour.

Other smaller parties have also expressed their willingness to support the BSP, BSP sources revealed.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is expected to hand in hisresignation to the Governor this evening after the assessment of theparty's performance.

BSP supremo Mayawati, who was closely monitoring the results ather residence since this morning, has conveyed to mediapersons that shewill speak to them only after the results are officially announced bythe Election Commission.

Apna Dal, an alliance partner of the BJP, said they are keepingall options open on their support to any government formation in thestate.'' We will try to go with the BJP but the scenario would bereviewed after all the results are out, '' said party president SoneLal Patel.

According to the latest trends available, the BSP, almost touchingthe 200-mark, raced past the ruling Samajwadi Party and BharatiyaJanata Party in the 403-member assembly.

Sources close to Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee(UPCC) told UNIhere that though the final proposal would be sent to Ms Mayawati afterthe announcement of the final tally, the party was contemplating givingoutside support to the BSP.

The state BSP headquarters was abuzz with activities as partyworkers, smelling victory, took a headlong plunge into celebration modeand festive scenes could be witnessed in all corners of the office.''The results are on the expected lines and the party is likely to form amajority government in the state,'' BSP general secretary SatishChandra Mishra said.

UNI