NEW DELHI: Congress said it will go alone in the 2017 elections in Uttar Pradesh, seeking to put to rest the theory that the party would try to stitch a Bihar-like alliance in the state.

At a brainstorming session called by the central leadership, state Congress leaders were unanimous in their view that the party should not tie up with either of the outfits, SP or BSP, in the state. They also said the party should project a chief ministerial face to contest the elections alone.

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Congress has also decided to come up with a programme for the state in the coming days to position itself as a serious contender for power.

AICC spokesman R P N Singh said, “The party will start making preparations for the mega contest keeping in mind the settled issue of alliance.”

Relegated to a marginal presence in UP, a big section of Congress prefers a tie-up with either SP or BSP, a view that gained impetus after results in Bihar where a mega anti-BJP alliance handed Congress a share in power despite its thin clout.

But the stumbling block in UP is how seriously would SP or BSP regard Congress as an ally. The party would have to cede a huge majority of 402 seats, not a prospect to its liking. Also, with elections a year and half away, prolonged speculation on alliance would discourage workers from taking up political action against rivals. Thus, the leadership has chosen to send a clear message to workers.

Also, many suggested that local leaders should be projected in the campaign and Rahul Gandhi should be used sparingly to push the party’s case.

