UP's people now have alternative in Cong-RLD: Ajit Singh

Newly appointed Union civil aviation minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh on Sunday said his alliance with the Congress has now provided a "clear-cut alternative" to the people of Uttar Pradesh against the "oppressive" Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party government.

"Our mind now is on Uttar Pradesh. People of UP are feeling oppressed with the Mayawati government but are now getting an alternative....People have now got a clear-cut alternative," Singh told the media soon after taking oath of office at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He maintained that the "wave" generated in Uttar Pradesh due to the Congress-RLD alliance will be felt across the country.

RLD is likely to contest in around 45 seats in the 403- member Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The party has only 10 MLAs in the present assembly.

Both the Congress and RLD are hoping to gain from the alliance. In constituencies where Jats are not numerically significant, the votes are likely to go for the Congress. RLD is hopeful of getting the Muslim and upper caste votes of the Congress.

The Congress had won only 22 seats in the last Uttar Pradesh polls in 2007. The Congress-RLD alliance is hopeful of playing "king-makers" in case of a hung assembly. The main target of this alliance is BSP as both are eyeing the same section of voters.