Rahul Gandhi has stated that the decision of BSP not forming an alliance with Congress is not going to hurt the party’s prospects in the upcoming assembly elections. The Congress president was speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit where he said “I don’t see the BSP not aligning (with Congress) will impact us in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan”.
Though, he did not rule out the possibility of both the parties forming an alliance in the upcoming general elections in 2019. Referring to the seat-sharing discussion between both the parties, Mr. Rahul said, “We were flexible in the states (about seat sharing).
In fact I was more flexible than some of our state leaders. We were amidst talks when they (BSP) decided to go their own way”. “But in the national elections, the parties (BSP, Congress) will come together. That is the indication we have”, he further added.
After backing off from the alliance with Congress in Chattisgarh last month, Mayawati announced last Wednesday that she will not be contesting election with Congress in Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan despite latter being keen on contesting the elections together.
She had also blamed Congress of being arrogant and blamed Congress leader Digvijay Singh of being the reason both parties could not come together. However, she maintained that she trusts Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party president Rahul Gandhi of their honest intentions on forming alliance.