Power share: Cong tells SP not now

While leaders were divided on whether to keep options open or to support the government from outside, no leader came out in support of joining the UP government.

However, there seems to be a horizontal divide between the senior AICC leaders and the UP leaders on the extent of involvement with the SP-led government. While senior leaders of the AICC stress the Congress should extend support from outside, the state leadership is keen on joining the government.

Tonight, however, the middle-liners seem to have won who have been saying that the CWC should just resolve to ‘‘assist’’ in the formation of a ‘‘secular alternative government’’ and leave other issues for a later date.

Party leaders’ main argument for staying out of the government is the historical apprehensions of the Congress with the SP, only fuelled by the perception that the BJP could be the hand that is holding the strings to this government.

The Congress leadership forecasts a resurgence of the temple movement in the state after the ASI excavation report. Senior leaders are also of the view that UP should not become another Bihar for the party where the Congress is repeatedly on the defensive because of actions of the RJD government.

Lastly, the Congress, going to the polls in the four states, is keen on keeping a window open for a possible electoral adjustment with the BSP.