"We can contest alone, but alliance can win 300 seats," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said
Amid talks among leaders of 'Janata Parivar' parties about a tie-up for the Uttar Pradesh polls, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said that achieving a coalition was not easy. The ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) could win the elections on its own, though an alliance could win 300 seats.
"We can contest alone, but in alliance we can win 300 seats," Mr Yadav said.
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has 403 seats.
On his meeting with election strategist Prashant Kishore, Mr Yadav said, "He had sought appointment from me. I gave him time so that no one can say I did not meet him. The meeting was good."
SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is in Delhi, held deliberations with Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh and senior Janata Dal (United) (JDU) leader Sharad Yadav in separate meetings as leaders of 'Janata Parivar' outfits look to form an alliance for the assembly polls early next year.
Mulayam Singh Yadav's younger brother and his party's Uttar Pradesh unit chief Shivpal Yadav, a supporter of the alliance, was also part of the talks held at Mr Yadav's residence.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was also in the national capital.
In a show of solidarity, all these leaders, besides Janata Dal (Secular) chief and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, had come together for SP's silver jubilee celebrations in Lucknow on November 5. This was after Shivpal Yadav gave a call for unity among former Janata Dal leaders.