'SP not go against Cong in any case'

Lucknow, Nov 6 (UNI) The Samajwadi Party (SP) today sprang a surprise, saying even if no alliance was sewn up between the Congress and the SP, the party would support Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Mr Rahul Gandhi in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

SP general secretary Amar Singh talking to mediapersons here said he was in direct touch with Congress leadership, including Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Rahul Gandhi and even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

''I don't want to say anything about our discussion as some of my friends in Congress would claim that I have a habit of names dropping,'' he said.

When asked about the fate of the party's alliance with the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Singh did not react, but said the SP was committed to its words and would not deter for any reason.

'' Even if there was no alliance, then also we would not give candidates against Mrs Sonia Gandhi at Rae Bareli and Mr Rahul Gandhi in Amethi,'' he stressed.

Indicating his close relationship with the Gandhi family, Mr Singh said he had a one-to-one talk with Mr Rahul Gandhi for one hour on Tuesday, while during Diwali festival Mrs Sonia Gandhi had wished him.

UNI MB JAS BDP CS1605