UP tussle sets Centre-stage for Ajit

But before that, the Congress must create space in the UPA for Singh and an RLD colleague or two. Talks between Singh and the Congress leadership have been going on for some time now, sources said. Since no major Cabinet portfolio is left for distribution, Singh8217;s inclusion could entail a Cabinet reshuffle, rather than mere expansion.

Congress spokesman Anand Sharma described the UP developments as 8216;8216;an evolving political situation8217;8217;. He said Rahul Gandhi had made 8216;8216;a factual and truthful comment8217;8217; on the law and order situation prevailing in parts of UP and only 8216;8216;reiterated8217;8217; what had been highlighted by the Congress during the election campaign.

Asked whether the Congress would withdraw support to the state government, Sharma said: 8216;8216;The party leadership will take an appropriate view. As and when any view is taken, we will promptly get back to you.8217;8217;

A section of the Congress is also keen to tie up with the BSP in the coming Maharashtra elections in view of its excellent performance in the Lok Sabha polls. The results have shown that a large chunk of the Dalit base has shifted to the BSP. A pre-poll adjustment with the BSP would help the Congress-NCP combine battle against anti-incumbency.

A tie-up in Maharashtra would also smoothen the Congress-BSP relations and impact the situation in UP. A section of the Congress feels the party should go it alone in the state if it wants an 8216;8216;independent revival8217;8217;. But the more 8216;8216;realistic8217;8217; assessment is that the party organisation is still in a shambles and an alliance with the BSP would pay off.

As for early elections, there is a growing view that the Congress is at an advantage as it is in power at the Centre. It should use this factor to galvanise the party organisation in the state into 8216;8216;agitational mode8217;8217;, something it cannot do while supporting the SP government from the outside.