The Ferozabad Lok Sabha bypoll may have just revived an anti-Congress front, with Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Amar Singh hinting at an alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the CPI(M).
Amar sang paeans to RLD chief Ajit Singh and his son, Mathura MP Jayant Singh, for campaigning for SP candidate and party president Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Dimple. "We are happy that Jayant took time off and stood with us against the combined might of the Congress and the BSP. It is a welcome development," he said.
Dimple is contesting the seat vacated by husband Akhilesh, who had won both Kannuaj and Ferozabad in the general election earlier this year. The Congress candidate is Bollywood actor Raj Babbar.
"Rahul Gandhi came and campaigned against our daughter-in-law when we have never done such a thing in Amethi or Rae Bareilly. This shows the Congress culture," Amar said. He indicated that the RLD, a BJP ally at present, and the SP, who have together ruled Uttar Pradesh before, could join hands again.
Amar also attacked "friend" Mamata Banerjee, saying Maoists had a "tie-up with a mainstream party in West Bengal which I do not want to name." He said, "This party does not have a hold in rural areas and is using Maoists, who want to get a hold in urban areas."
Asked if he was referring to Trinamool Congress, Amar said, "I do not want to join issue with Mamata Banerjee, she is a friend." With the winter session of parliament a fortnight away, smaller parties, whether supporting the UPA or in the opposition, are anxious to assert themselves. A strong showing by the Congress has meant that allies are not as important as they were in the last UPA government, and the SP is hoping to unite them.
