Akhilesh backs TMC on Cong-less Opp alliance

Mamata to meet Naveen Patnaik, leaders of other regional parties

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav called on Trinamul Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Friday evening for an hour-long meeting during which Mr Yadav is said to have backed the TMC’s effort to forge an Opposition alliance against the BJP without the Congress Party.

Mr Yadav, who is in the city for a meeting of the Samajwadi Party’s national working committee, called on Miss Banerjee at the latter's Kalighat residence this evening. Mr Yadav was accompanied by Mr Kironmoy Nanda.

While neither of the leaders disclosed what was discussed at their meeting to the Press, sources in the Trinamul Congress said the Samajwadi Party is in agreement with the TMC on the issue of staying away from the Congress while forging an Opposition alliance.

Mr Yadav, earlier in the day, told media persons: “In Bengal, we are with Mamata didi. Right now, our stand is we want to maintain equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress.” Senior Trinamul Congress leaders said Miss Banerjee will start getting in touch with like-minded regional parties.