Cong wants to keep Lalu, Mulayam in good humour

Congress party's dealmakers are worried about the over-enthusiasm of the some partymen after the big victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

There is a section in party consisting of some old and experienced hands who do not want to ridicule Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav at this juncture nor do they want them to drift away too far from the Congress.

Congress's senior leaders are worried about sycophant elements who want to stretch Rahul Gandhi's theory of fighting elections alone without allies in crucial states beyond a point.

A senior Congressman told rediff.com, "Our wisdom of governance says that Congress's victory is surely unexpected and impressive but, to govern this country well the ruling party should 'govern' the opposition space also. Some of our party men are giving senseless quotes against Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh, which are unwarranted. We must ensure that in first two years when we will take some major decisions Mulayam, Lalu and the Left parties should not be given good reasons to unite."

There are attempts to keep Lalu and Mulayam in good humour. "Without giving them anything we can keep them on our side! This is in party's interest," says a Congress leader.

Interestingly, on Tuesday Samajwadi Party general secertary Amar Singh also claimed that he had a chat with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and even Rahul Gandhi has established contact with him.

Importantly, the same source also told rediff.com that the Congress has proposed to Ajit Singh that his Rashtriya Lok Dal with five Lok Sabha members and huge support of Jat farmer's in western UP, should be merged with the Congress. This will ensure that he and his MPs will be given better portfolios.