Seems Congress doesn't want to partner with us: Akhilesh Yadav fires fresh barb at INDIA ally

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INDIA bloc in light of the breakdown in seat-sharing talks between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections and the souring of ties thereafter, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday claimed the grand old party does not want to ally with his outfit. Speaking to media persons on a visit to Katni in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, "It seems the Congress doesn't want to partner with us. You also must have seen them firing barbs at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is also an alliance partner (in INDIA)." "The Congress had an opportunity to unite smaller parties and send out a message of Opposition unity.

They think the people are with them. Now the PDA (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) will give them a befitting reply," he added. The SP chief launched a PDA bicycle rally in a bid to reach out to the backward classes, Dalits and minorities in Uttar Pradesh ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Akhilesh is on a three-day visit to poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, which will culminate on Tuesday. The Samajwadi Party has fielded its candidates in 72 seats for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The party has fielded its candidates from all the constituencies in the Katni district, including Bahoriband, Murwara, Vijayraghavgarh, and Barwara.

Earlier on Sunday, further deepening the rift within the mega alliance, the SP Chief took a swipe at both the Congress and the BJP, accusing them of misusing central probe agencies such as the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Opposition leaders when in power. Speaking to reporters at Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, the SP chief said, "The BJP is doing what the Congress did when in power. They