No 'mahagathbandhan' in UP without Akhilesh: RLD, JD(U) tell Mulayam Singh Yadav

Lucknow: Amid talks of a grand alliance between secular parties to defeat BJP in the upcoming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, it has now emerged that the erstwhile constituents of 'Janata Parivar' - JD(U) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) – are not interested in any electoral alliance with the ruling Samajwadi Party without state's young CM Akhilesh Yadav.

The development appears to put the SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's efforts to put together a 'Mahagathbandhan' in UP before assembly polls in troubled waters.

According to reports, both JD(U) and RLD want UP's young and popular CM Akhlesh Yadav on board before any major electoral alliance.

The development also assumes significance in the wake of reports that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is keen on joining hands with the SP only if Akhilesh emerges as the face of ruling party.

A senior RLD functionary was quoted by TOI that party chief Ajit Singh was wary of entering into an alliance with Mulayam if the feud in SP's first family continues.

JD(U) member and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has also said that a 'Mahagathbandhan' in UP is possible only if SP and its sworn enemy BSP come together.

Nitish is apprehensive of Mulayam given his experience in Bihar where SP pulled out of the grand alliance at the last moment before the assembly polls last year.

Political experts said SP's internal squabble was bound to push the Yadav and Muslim vote base in a deep uncertainty and thwart the chances of stopping the BJP or BSP from coming to power.

The high-voltage UP elections will be a close contest between ruling Samajwadi Party, Narendra Modi-powered BJP and the Mayawati led Bahujan Samaj Party.

Though, Congress has roped in master strategist Kishor to manage its poll campaign, however, it seems the grand old party wouldn't do well in the the politically sensitive state.