SP to contest 298 seats, Congress 105

New Delhi, January 22

Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party on Sunday decided to contest 298 of the 403 assembly seats and leave 105 to its ally the Congress, party sources said.

The two are likely to announce their alliance later this evening.

This followed a telephone conversation in the morning between Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the sources said.

News reports quoted Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav as confirming the development.

Earlier, the Samajwadi Party had agreed to let the Congress contest only in 90 seats.

The alliance remained uncertain until Saturday, with the Samajwadi Party accusing the Congress of being arrogant and obstinate. The party said then that it was unwilling to give Congress more than 100 seats to the latter's demand of 150.

The development comes less than a month before the state casts its ballot.

Elections will be held in seven phases in Uttar Pradesh, beginning on February 11. Agencies