merisarkar news service New Delhi, December 11, 2011
Seat sharing talks are underway
Beleaguered UPA got a boost with RLD led by Ajit Singh deciding to join the coalition at the Centre and fight the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in alliance with Congress.
Ajit Singh, whose RLD has five members in the Lok Sabha, met Gandhi Saturday evening and expressed his willingness to join UPA which was welcomed by the Congress President, senior Congress leader Mohan Prakash, who was present at the meeting, said.
Ajit Singh (72) will soon be meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh amid possibilities that he could join the Cabinet with Prakash saying that like very partner in UPA, RLD will also get its share in power.
Prakash hailed RLD joining the UPA and fighting UP assembly elections under Congress as a "game changer."
"It will be a game changer in UP elections," he said.
He also indicated that former union minister and SP leader Rashid Masood, as also several other senior leaders, will be joining Congress soon.
There is speculation that Singh will get 45 seats with seat sharing adjustments likely to be announced by next week.
RLD is the first party to join UPA after the 2009 general election. He has joined at a time when some allies have become demanding.
