Beni Prasad Verma is a relatively new Congressman. But he is an old Uttar Pradesh hand. So when he spoke, seemingly out of turn, suggesting that the Congress Party should tie up with Mayawati's BSP in a post-election scenario in the state, many sat up to listen. In Mr Verma's comments, that came after exit polls for UP, was also an acceptance that the Congress was likely to be placed fourth in the four-cornered UP battle.