UP Congress chief Raj Babbar: We are leaving 7 seats vacant for SP, BSP and RLD. These include Mainpuri, Kannauj, F… https://t.co/zw6xZ0utYT — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 1552815532000

LUCKNOW: Reciprocating the favour SP-BSP combine did for Congress by deciding not to field any candidate against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in Amethi and Rae Bareli respectively, the Congress on Sunday announced it will leave seven seats for the SP, BSP and RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh.Speaking to reporters, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar said that the leadership has decided not to field candidates against Mulayam Singh, Dimple Yadav and Akshay Yadav in Mainpuri, Kannauj and Firozabad. Congress would not field any candidate against Rashtriya Lok Dal leaders Chaudhury Ajit Singh and his son Jayant.The Congress also announced it would not contest on the seat from where BSP chief Mayawati fights the coming elections. The seventh seat would be announced later. Sources however said that the seat would be left for SP president Akhilesh Yadav who may contest the polls from Azamgarh.Babbar also stated that Congress would leave two seats for its ally Apna Dal represented by OBC leader Sonelal’s wife Krishna Patel. “We would be leaving Gonda and Pilibhit seats for them,” Babbar said.When asked to comment on the arrangement with Mahan Dal, Babbar said: “Their leaders have said that they were ready for anything for the sake of the alliance. They were keen on several seats for the Vidhan Sabha which will be worked out later. As for the Lok Sabha, the announcement would follow soon.”Congress also entered into an alliance with the lesser known Jan Adhikar Party on seven seats. In the arrangement, Jan Adhikar Party would contest elections on five seats on its symbol with the support of Congress. On the remaining two seats, Congress would field its own candidates.“Under the arrangement, seats of Jhansi, Chandauli, Basti and Etah have been given to the Jan Adhikar Party while we would field our candidate from Ghazipur. The two remaining seats would be announced later,” Babbar said.