All options open in post-poll scenario: Congress

PATNA: Giving a new twist to the ongoing debate whether or not the fourth front would be part of Congress-led government at the Centre after the elections, Congress on Thursday unequivocally said that "all options are open in a post-poll scenario."

"All options are open in a post-poll scenario...We welcome all those who want to strengthen secular forces...Even new parties can join the UPA bandwagon or the old partners like Lalu, Paswan and Mulayam can also be the part of Congress-led government at the Centre," Congress MP and spokesman Rajiv Shukla told reporters here today.

Asked about Lalu Prasad's statement regarding Congress' role in Babri mosque demolition, Shukla said Lalu did not have the right to raise the issue as Kalyan Singh, who was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh when the mosque was razed, was sitting in the lap of fourth front.

While replying to a query about party's decision to go it alone in UP and Bihar, Shukla, a Rajya Sabha member, said that the central leadership was very happy with the decision.

"We are set to benefit from the decision. At least we have been able to regain the ground we had lost due to our alliances. The decision has given a new lease of life to the party and we will be in position to bargain with our allies from a position of strength after the polls," he said.