LUCKNOW: Congress may have announced to contest elections from all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh , but the grand old party is still scouring for partners in the state. Sources said the party was in talks with smaller players like Nishad Party and Apna Dal (Krishna) to hammer out a blueprint with caste equations in place. Also, talks with Shivpal Yadav’s Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) is at the advanced stage.While Apna Dal can be crucial for Congress on five seats in the Varanasi-Ghazipur region, Nishad Party can tip the scales in key seats of Gorakhpur, Kushinagar and Maharajganj. Congress sources said an alliance with Shivpal’s outfit could help address the funds crunch. With Congress is out of power for over 28 years in UP, coffers are empty and organisational challenges could be gauged from the fact that the state Congress committee is yet to be formed.“Shivpal claims it has foot soldiers on 35-odd seats,” said a worker in the party’s research cell. Old-timers, however, have doubts over these claims. An alliance with small parties can settle caste equations on select seats. “In Bareilly, for instance, former MP Praveen Singh Aron is the probable Congress candidate. And a PSPL candidate on the seat would cut into Yadav votes. But, if PSPL is an ally, the Congress candidate will gain,” said a senior Congress leader.Sources also said efforts were on to woo Rashtriya Lok Dal even as the talks between Akhilesh Yadav and Jayant Singh are in an advanced stage. “RLD wanted six seats, but the demand was not entertained by the SP-BSP combine. RLD may still want to explore better options,” said a Congressman.Senior leaders say the aim is to defeat BJP. “We are looking at the big picture. These parties may be small, but they are crucial to specific seats where they can tilt the scales,” said Virendra Madan, in charge, departments and cells, UP Congress.

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