Congress not to seek allies in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, June 25 (IANS) The Congress won't seek allies in the upcoming 12 by-elections to the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

While the election schedule has not been announced, party general secretary Madhusudan Mistry dropped enough hints Wednesday that the party will contest on its own strength.

Mistry, on a two-day visit, has spoken to party leaders in the state on various issues.

The by-polls will be held in Kairana, Lucknow (East), Bijnore, Thakurdwara, Noida, Saharanpur, Charkhari, Hamirpur, Nighasan, Sirathu, Balha and Rohnia whose legislators have been elected to the Lok Sabha.

The Congress contested the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with Rashtriya Lok Dal and Mahan Dal, a regional outfit.

Both alliance partners drew a blank. The Congress won only two seats: Rae Bareli and Amethi.

The Bahujan Samaj Party has bowed out of the contest citing its principle of not contesting by-elections.