New Delhi, Sept 08: Congress today sidestepped questions whether joining the Mulayam Singh Yadav government was still an "open option" maintaining the party "for the time being" has decided to extend outside support. Party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters that after the trust vote in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the Congress leadership would have detailed discussions with all concerned. And a "decision in the best interest of the Congress and the state" would be taken.

He dismissed as "hypothetical" apprehensions about a split in the 16-member up Congress Legislature Party if Congress did not join the Mulayam government. He said partymen in up have made it clear that they will "respectand accept" the decision of the Central leadership.

Bureau Report