Cong to do introspection of poll performance in UP

New Delhi, May 14 (UNI) Declaring that the vote percentage of the Congress has not declined though the number of seats it held earlier has got slightly reduced in the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the party today said that it would make an introspection of its poor performance by discussing it with the state units.

"We had expected that the number of seats will increase, but that did not happen,"Congress Spokesman Satyavrat Chaturvedi said, but denied that the party had receded into the background.

"The Congress did make efforts to better its performance in the elections. However.we respect the verdict of the electorate,''he said briefing mediapersons here.

Asked about Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi's role in the elections, he said he made the best of efforts. As far as the outcome was concerned, the perception of the masses was against Mr Mulayam Singh. They wanted an alternative to him and they saw in the BSP a viable alternative. It was the sense of insecurity among the electorate that became a major issue in the elections and the electorate felt that it was the BSP, led by Ms Mayawati, who could free them from the goonda-raj, he added.

Replying to a question as to whether the Governor of Uttar Pradesh would grant permission to the CBI for launching prosecution against Chief Minster Mayawati in the Taj Corridor case, Mr Chaturvedi said the Governor was seized of the matter."He would see to the legality of the case and take appropriate decision." Asked whether Mayawati was being consulted on the UPA candidate for Presidential poll, the Spokesman said consultations were on with all the UPA allies and the parties supporting the UPA Government from outside. Since she too was supporting the Government from outside she too would be consulted. Whoever would be the UPA candidate would be from a secular background, he added.

UNI