'Congress ready for Assembly polls, will ensure no division of votes'

New Delhi: Congress on Friday said that it is ready for polls in all the five election-bound states and will forge understanding and alliances so that there is no division of votes to benefit BJP or other regional parties.

"The EC has announced the poll dates. Congress as a political party is always ready for elections 365 days a year. We are going to polls with enthusiasm, energy, speed and direction and will emerge victorious," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

He said the party will forge understandings and alliances that is necessary to ensure its victory and will move forward with the motive of avoiding any vote division which might benefit BJP or other regional parties.

"We feel all those arrangements, understandings and alliances that are required will be done. We have taken extensive steps on which we will apprise you in the coming days. All that will be done is to ensure that there is no division of votes for BJP or those regional parties opposed to us to benefit. This applies to West Bengal, Kerala and Assam," he said.

The Election Commission today announced dates for the state assemblies polls in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry, polling for which will be held between April 4 and May 16. The counting will take place of May 19.

Asked if BJP forging an alliance with AGP in Assam will affect Congress prospects, he said "Congress does not fear or is rattled by an opportunistic coalition done by BJP."

He claimed Congress, through various coalitions and understandings, has benefited and has come to power and succeeded in the state and at the Centre.

To a question on Himachal Pradesh government's decision to oppose the cricket match between India and Pakistan in Dharamshala, he said it was the state government that has taken the decision based on local factors and there is no need for Congress to comment.

"It is the state government's decision. It would have taken a well thought-out decision. We don't need to comment at the central level," he said.