Voices of opposition in SP over possible tie-up with RLD

Lucknow: Voices of opposition surfaced on Monday in Samajwadi Party over its possible pre-poll tie-up with RLD in Uttar Pradesh, with its senior party leader Ramgopal Yadav saying an alliance with "a person who has lost his credibility in politics" will not be a wise thing.

Ramgopal, the cousin of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, issued a strong statement, opposing any alliance with RLD in the wake of his party supremo meeting Ajit Singh in New Delhi amidst indications of their inching closer to forging a tie-up.

Without taking Ajit Singh's name, Ramgopal said, "Nothing is bigger than credibility in one's life, politics and society. If someone loses his credibility, he does not mean anything. An alliance with a person who has lost his credibility in politics will not be a wise thing for any political party."

His statement came as SP insiders said the two parties are likely to have a seat-sharing pact for the 2017 Assembly polls slated next year and a Rajya Sabha berth for the RLD chief.

"The two parties are looking for a pre-poll pact that would largely be confined to Assembly constituencies in western UP," a party leader said.

SP stands to gain by the alliance in western UP, where Ajit Singh commands the support of the Jat community, the leader added.

"Talks have started (with RLD) on a good note. We already have good relations with Ajit Singhji. We want all followers of Lohia, Chaudhary Charan Singh and Gandhi to unite against BJP," said senior UP minister Shivpal Yadav in Sambhal.

He was asked by reporters to comment on the possibility of an electoral tie up with RLD.

Ajit Singh is the son of Samajwadi icon late Charan Singh.