Akhilesh Yadav appears to rule out tie up between SP and BSP

New Delhi, Nov 16: A day after suggesting a grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh on the lines of Bihar, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today appeared to rule out such a possibility of a tie up between SP and BSP.

Responding to a question at a press conference here on the possibility of BSP and SP joining hands in UP like arch-rivals RJD and JD(U) did in Bihar, he said "the relationship between SP and BSP is different from the one between RJD and JD(U)".

When asked specifically whether his idea of a 'grand alliance' includes Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), he said any decision on alliances will be taken by SP's National Parliamentary Board and Mulayam. Assembly elections are due in Uttar Pradesh in mid-2017.

Responding to more questions on his remarks made in Sant Kabir Nagar in UP yesterday that "a grand alliance is possible in the state", Akhilesh said, "Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) will decide on alliance. How can I decide?"

He also said that while for others, BSP chief Mayawati is 'behenji', as she is popularly called, for him she is 'bua' or father's sister.

Citing newspaper reports, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said he was himself "confused" over what exactly he had said about the possibility of a grand alliance in UP yesterday.

"Every paper has a different story on what I had said. You tell me what to state and I will state that. Even if I remain silent, you will certainly write something. I did not say anything on alliance or grand alliance but you published reports. You don't know which point of a conversation is published and in which way," he said.

Asked in case BSP and SP joined hands whether Mayawati would be projected as the chief ministerial candidate, Yadav shot back saying the reporter "should know who the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is".

Akhilesh said at a time when he was doing so much for the development of the state, people will have to keep an eye on who wants an alliance in Uttar Pradesh.

"We will also have to keep an eye on whether BSP and BJP are seeking a political alliance...we will have to keep an eye everywhere," he said.

Akhilesh skirted questions on whether he and his father Mulayam are travelling to Patna for the oath-taking ceremony of Nitish Kumar cabinet.

He also did not respond to a poser on whether RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar are attending Mulayam's birthday bash in Saifai on November 22.

PTI