With stakes high in Uttar Pradesh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday interacted with a group of party leaders on how to put the best foot forward in the key state where assembly polls are round the corner.

Sonia and Rahul held talks with All India Congress Committee general secretary Ashok Gehlot, Pradesh Congress Committee president Salman Kurshid and party zonal in-charges Rashid Alvi and Rajeshpati Tripathi.

The interaction came at a time when there is a growing feeling in a section of the party against any tie-up with Rashtriya Lok Dal led by Ajit Singh. Partymen say such an understanding would be suicidal for Congress especially in western UP.

This interaction comes at a time when Sonia has launched a scathing attack on the Mulayam Singh Yadav government saying there was 'utter lawlessness' in the state.

In the latest issue of party mouthpiece Congress Sandesh, she sought to set her house in order in the key state. She also sought to galvanise the party in poll-bound Punjab, Uttarakhand and Manipur.

Sonia said party workers should put personal egos aside and work unitedly without which victory was not possible.