The party may set aside a major portion of seats in western UP and adjoining areas for allies.
AICC general secretary Madhusudan Mistry made the announcement late on Monday, saying Congress may leave three seats for Mahan Dal while it may also give some to Apna Dal.
The bid to stitch a rainbow alliance in UP comes in the wake of reports that the party faces a tough election in the state where it performed beyond its organizational strength to win 21 seats in 2009.
While a tie-up with RLD was in the offing, the announcement of possible alliance with Mahan Dal and Apna Dal, minor caste-based outfits, seems a result of reports that they were also negotiating with BJP. Congress seems to be offering much more than BJP was willing to part with.
As per the alliance deal, RLD will contest Fatehpur Sikri, Kairana, Baghpat, Bulandshahr, Mathura, Hathras, Bijnore and Amroha.
Mistry indicated that Mahan Dal may get to contest Etah, Nagina and Badaun which are Samajwadi Party strongholds adjoining western UP.
While it would put Congress out of the elections in a large area, the party has seats to spare in view of its limited appeal in these pockets.
The alliance announcement was surprisingly low key, with AICC general secretary in-charge of UP Mistry talking to reporters at a hurriedly convened press conference.
In the past, such alliances have been announced with much fanfare with the involved parties making a show of it.
The alliance with RLD has been much-awaited given that Muzaffarnagar riots threaten to alter the traditional voting pattern in western UP which is Ajit Singh's stronghold.
The fear of desertion of Jat votes resulted in UPA government announcing OBC status for the community in its last Cabinet meeting. This will allow Jats to avail reservation in central jobs and educational institutions.
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