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Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008
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Congress not averse to SP offer

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday indicated that it was not averse to accepting Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh’s offer of cooperation.

This comes in the wake of Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati’s threat to withdraw support to the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. She is expected to announce her course of action on the occasion of her birthday on Tuesday.

“If he is serious, Mr. Mulayam Singh is entitled to talk at the appropriate levels with the Congress and he need not talk to us through the press,” said AICC spokesman Abhishek Singhvi.

Mr. Singh sought the cooperation of the Congress and the BJP on “public issues” against the Mayawati government. To a question on Mr. Singh’s “overtures” despite his party having withdrawn outside support to the UPA, Mr. Singhvi said: “It is a bit natural that engagement of the Congress with any party has to be a matter of understanding and trust.”

A senior Congress leader said the SP, having withdrawn support to the UPA, would have to make a new beginning on mutual trust and understanding. Relations between the two parties soured when the Congress virtually spurned the SP offer of support during the formation of the UPA government.

The Congress’ reaction to the SP offer has also to be seen in the context of its claim to play “constructive opposition,” particularly after the Gujarat Assembly elections in which the BSP cut into Congress votes in 13 constituencies.

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