BJP to go it alone in UP, other states except Punjab: Venkaiah

New Delhi, Dec 25: Seat sharing talks with NDA ally JD-U in Uttar Pradesh appeared to have run into rough weather with BJP saying it will go it alone in all poll-bound states except Punjab where it will tie up with Akali Dal.

"We will fight the elections on our own. There will be no alliance with any party except in Punjab where we will ally with Akali Dal. We will contest elections on our own in other states," BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said.

He was responding to reporters' queries on the progress of talks between the NDA partners for the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. Naidu's remarks come amid reports that JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav is unhappy over BJP announcing its first list of candidates for UP, especially in seats his party intends to contest.

Polls for the 403-member UP Assembly will be held in seven-phases from February 4. Asked about the issues on which BJP will fight elections, Naidu said, "Our main issue will be good governance, price rise, corruption, black money and agrarian crisis. Corruption will be the main issue -- whether in Mayawati government or central government."

On Lokpal issue, he said, "Our stand is very clear. We want a strong Lokpal. We will decide on the merit of each and every legislation on the floor of the House."

PTI