The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday ridiculed the idea of grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh and alleged that the fragile Congress, which left with no option, is resorting to new techniques to establish its presence in the politically crucial state.
Apparently hinting at election strategist Prashant Kishor, BJP leader Satyapal Singh said that the Congress' position in Uttar Pradesh is so fragile that it has turned to a non-political entity for advice.
"The Congress has lost its confidence and has almost given up. It knows that it has no place left in Uttar Pradesh. So, now they are seeking advice from the non-political entities to work things out," said Singh.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi share a good rapport and have often praised each other on different occasions.
According to reports, Gandhi has conveyed the message that Congress is ready to form a grand alliance with Samajwadi Party if Akhilesh emerges as a consensus face within the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led party.
Last week, in an endeavour to take on the BJP by stitching a Bihar-like "grand alliance" for the crucial Uttar Pradesh elections, Samajwadi chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his close aide Amar Singh met Kishor in Delhi.
The Samajwadi Party leaders held talks with Kishor, who is designing the Congress' poll strategy in Uttar Pradesh.