The Congress today claimed it will play a crucial role in formation of the next Government in Uttar Pradesh and dismissed as personal views the Union Minister, Mr Beni Prasad Verma’s suggestions for a tie-up with BSP.
“We will cross the bridge when we come to it. The results have not yet come… ,” Congress leader and Union Minister, Mr Rajeev Shukla, told presspersons on the sidelines of an all-party meeting convened by the Speaker, Ms Meira Kumar, ahead of the Budget session of Parliament commencing on March 12.
Rejecting as “hypothetical” suggestions that Mr Rahul Gandhi needed to take the blame if the party performed poorly in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Shukla said the party’s performance will be “very good” and the results will lead to the revival of the party.
“To talk about the results before they are out is hypothetical. Congress will have a crucial role in Government formation (in UP),” he said.
Asked about the Union Minister, Mr Beni Prasad Verma’s comments on supporting the BSP, Mr Shukla said, “Those are not the party’s views. He must have said that in his personal capacity.”
Speaking separately, the Samajwadi Party leader, Mr Shailendra Kumar, said his party would form the Government in UP having a 403-member Assembly even if “we get 165 seats”.
“We will get a clear majority, but even if we fall short by 20-25 seats, we will get support from secular parties…”
It is for the Congress to ponder over and decide,” he said, when asked whether Congress will support it.
In an obvious reference to the Congress-led UPA at the Centre, he said the SP has supported the Congress on several issues and also opposed it on some others and “we expect the same from the secular forces”.