Hans News Service Lucknow

Aheadof the Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said several MLAs from the ruling BJP-led coalition are in contact with his party, but asserted that the SP would not make promises that it cannot fulfil. Asked whether MLAs from the ruling camp are in touch with him, Yadav said, “There are many who are in contact. But how do we adjust them? We do not want to make a promise and then go back on it.” Addressing a press conference at the party office here, he said the SP’s alliance that existed earlier would continue, while responding to a question on possible allies for next year’s Assembly polls. On the Rajya Sabha election, Yadav said the democratic system requires representatives to be elected by people and then lawmakers to elect the members of the Upper House of Parliament. “Democracy should not have dishonesty. Had the BJP not indulged in dishonesty, the SP would have had three Rajya Sabha MPs,” he said, referring to the previous election to the Upper House, in which SP candidate Alok Ranjan lost due to cross-voting in the party.

Yadav said the SP is now urging MLAs to use this opportunity to “wash away the past”.

“Sometimes one should learn even from his opponents. They appear to be fighting, but remain together internally,” he said.

Asked about seat-sharing in an alliance, he said, “The SP has said this earlier and I am saying it again -- winnability is the basis for a seat.”