SP seconds Sonia, wants alliance to begin at UP home

The Samajwadi Party today welcomed Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s statement that her party is open to alliances with secular forces ...

The Samajwadi Party today welcomed Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s statement that her party is open to alliances with secular forces in Gujarat and at the Centre, saying the understanding should begin with Uttar Pradesh.

Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and general secretary Amar Singh once again sought to clarify that the SP had not opposed Sonia’s bid to form the government at the Centre in 1999. ‘‘This was only a media creation… It is unfortunate that such an impression was created about us,’’ they said.

On an electoral understanding with the Congress in Gujarat, Mulayam Singh said the party will endorse the state unit’s decision. He said that the Gujarat unit will also decide how many seats it would contest.

Condemning the police action against SP leaders and workers during their protest in Lucknow on Monday, they said that the party would file a petition before the NHRC. Amar Singh said he would move a notice for breach of privilege of his rights as a member of the Rajya Sabha in the House.

The SP leaders also appealed to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to remove UP Governor Vishnukant Shastri for his ‘‘bias’’ in handling the crisis in the state.