No post-poll alliance with Congress: Akhilesh Yadav

New Delhi, Feb 29: Samajwadi Party will not go for a post-poll alliance with Congress if it falls short of the numbers in Uttar Pradesh elections, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav has said and took a dig at Rahul Gandhi claiming that his hands "are tied" within his party.

"An alliance with the Congress is not possible because the party does not want the Samajwadi party to grow. The Congress has worked to the detriment of the Samajwadi Party. Even the ticket distribution has been done to deter the Samajwadi Party, not to defeat BSP," Yadav said in an interview to CNN-IBN.

He insisted that SP will get a majority and expressed confidence that President's Rule will not be imposed. Yadav denied that differences between Rahul and him had increased.

"We have only reacted to each other on the situation as it demanded. To tear a piece of paper saying our manifesto is not good in a democracy. We have not reacted to their manifesto. People have seen what the Congress has done during its rule. If opinions are expressed on statements made by SP leaders, then we will react in the same way," he said.

In the same vein, Yadav criticised Rahul's style of functioning. "He does what his advisors tell him. Rahul Gandhi does not see the weaknesses of his party. His hands are tied within his party. Despite being in power, he is not able to do much," Yadav said.

On his chances of becoming Chief Minister if SP gets the numbers, Yadav said this question has to be put to Mulayam Singh Yadav. "As far as taking responsibility is concerned, everyone wants Netaji (Mulayam) to be Chief Minister of UP," he said.

PTI