UP minister suggests alliance of SP, BSP in 2017 polls

BARABANKI: A Samajwadi Party minister in the Uttar Pradesh government today suggested that his party and BSP form a 'grand alliance' for 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls on the lines of Bihar to defeat BJP.

UP minister Fareed Mahfooz Kidwai said,"God willing, a grand alliance will come into being here also (like Bihar) and we will definitely defeat BJP and form our government."

To a question if SP and BSP, which are arch rivals in UP politics, can come together on the lines of Bihar, Kidwai told reporters, "It is my wish".

Kidwai was promoted and made technical education minister with independent charge in the recent ministry expansion effected by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Grand secular alliance in Bihar has secured more than two-third majority winning 178 seats in the 243-member Bihar house in the recently concluded polls in the state.

RJD got 80 seats, the JD(U) won 71 and the Congress 27.