Congress keeps options open on post-poll allies

New Delhi, May 15 (ANI): Congress party has said that it intended to work with new 'like-minded, progressive and secular parties' after the election results are declared.

Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, Congress party spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the party does not want to get into speculations of the exit polls, as it was confident of emerging as the single largest party to form a stable government.

"We are not entering into any speculations on the number of seats. We are confident that we will form the government both individually, largest and collectively, providing a stable government. We are working with all like-minded, progressive and secular parties in the interest of India's development," said Singhvi.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the communists of being opportunistic.

"The Left enjoyed four-and-a-half years of power, then indulged in six months of drama of opposing the government and now wishes to come back to power. We pity the Third Front as it is becoming extinct even before counting has begun," said Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP spokesman.

The communists, who supported the Congress-led alliance for over four years before parting ways over the nuclear deal with Washington last year, had ruled out backing any coalition led by the Congress.

This could mean the Communists and some of its Third Front partners were keeping their option open of tactically supporting Congress in forming a government. (ANI)