In a huge blow to the Congress and its efforts to anchor opposition unity ahead of 2019, Uttar Pradesh politician Mayawati on Thursday announced an alliance in Chhattisgarh with Ajit Jogi, a known rebel expelled by the party in 2016. She also named 22 candidates for neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress has been unable to thrash out a seat-sharing formula for the state polls later this year.