Cong, SP reach understanding for UP bypoll

The Congress and the Samajwadi Party seem to have reached an understanding on the crucial UP by-election for Haidargarh and Gauriganj Assembly seats. While SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is likely to withdraw his candidate from Gauriganj 8212; part of Sonia Gandhi8217;s Amethi LS constituency 8212; the Congress will return the favour by leaving the Haidergarh seat in Barabaki to the SP.

8216;8216;Sonia has more or less agreed to Mulayam8217;s proposal since winning the Gauriganj seat is a matter of prestige for the Congress which is fighting to retain the seat,8217;8217; a senior Opposition leader said today. If losing MLAs to Mayawati was not enough, the Congress has to also face her avenging avtar in Amethi. 8216;8216;And all because of Priyanka Gandhi8217;s mini intrusion into her Dalit stronghold. Mayawati is misusing the entire UP government machinery to teach the Congress a lesson in its own bastion and that leaves Sonia with little option,8217;8217; the Opposition leader said.

While the Haidergarh seat was vacated after senior BJP leader and former UP chief minister Rajnath Singh was elected to Rajya Sabha recently, the death of Guariganj sitting MLA Noor Mohammad is the cause of the by-election there. The Congress is fielding Mohammad8217;s son as their candidate.

Left leaders, who are also itching for a part in the new Mulayam-Sonia entente, reportedly called up the latter to request her to agree to the SP8217;s proposal and thereby cement the tie in the state.8216;8216;This a good chance for them to bury the past,8217;8217; senior CPI leader Atul Anjan said.