The structure of the SP-BSP alliance is likely to be revealed in Lucknow on Saturday at a press conference which is to be jointly addressed by BSP supremo Mayawati and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav. The primary negotiations over seat-sharing between the two parties are over. The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), the Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (Nishad Party) and the Peace Party will also be a part of the alliance.

Sources in both the parties told BusinessLine that there will not be any fissures in the party over seat-sharing. “Our aim is to defeat the BJP. On Saturday, the leaders will reveal the basic structure of the alliance. An understanding on the seat-sharing will also be announced. But the details will be worked out only after assessing the ground properly,” a senior SP leader told BusinessLine.

‘No issues with the Congress’

The Congress has urged the alliance not to take any stand that will disrupt the unity of Opposition parties. A BSP leader said the party has no issues if the Congress joins the front. “We would like Congress to be a part of this grand alliance. The discussions will have to proceed in this direction between the leaders of both the parties,” the leader said and indicated that Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan developments, where the BSP was not a part of an alliance with the Congress, will not have an impact in Uttar Pradesh.

The leaders indicated that the discussion with the RLD is over and the Peace Party and the Nishad Party will contest under SP’s symbol. Talks with the Janata Dal (Secular), the CPI and the CPI(M) are also in progress.

The Congress said the objective of the alliance is to try and eliminate the autocracy and defeat the BJP. Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said those who put hurdles in the process of defeating the BJP will be held responsible for the election results.

“Nobody should underestimate the strength of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. Ignoring us can prove to be a dangerous step,” Singhvi warned.