From UP poll pot,Akhilesh pulls out Lohia: ‘When it is weak,Cong can be an ally’

But Akhilesh gave it away when reminded that Lohiaites have been the most powerfully anti-Congress political force in the country.

“But Lohiaji also said that when the Congress becomes weak,it will be the closest ally,” Akhilesh said. “The SP can never go with the BJP.” Akhilesh pointed out that the SP had supported the Congress on the nuclear deal (during the 2008 trust vote),but the Congress had failed to stand by the SP on many occasions.

Asked if Rahul Gandhi was someone he could do business with,not just after the UP elections but also in the future,Akhilesh said,“That decision is not mine. It has to be taken by the party.”

Asked if the SP saw the Congress as a hostile party forever,Akhilesh said it was difficult to predict how things might be in the future. “We want the nation to progress. UP should also prosper.”

The young SP MP termed Rahul Gandhi as an “achchhe insaan (good man) who is working hard”,but criticised the Congress leader for publicising his stays at Dalit homes.

“He is working and eating with Dalit families. To tell (people),however,that he ate with Dalits is not a good thing. A Dalit used to serve me food but it was only after 4-5 years that I learnt that he was a Dalit. I never asked his caste,” Akhilesh said.