Mulayam plays it safe; sends feelers to Congress

Notwithstanding the exit poll that has given Samjawadi Party a fantastic lead, party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, a consummate politician, has sent a feeler to the Congress, say sources in Lucknow.

Although not much meaning should be attached to this call except the fact that SP boss understands that if he doesn't get a landslide victory, as predicted by CNN-IBN-The Week exit poll, he should have a channel of communication open to move fast, if and when required.

According to sources in Lucknow, 'netaji' wants to move cautiously, and has taken care to move discreetly.

There is no doubt that if Samajwadi Party is able to form the government without the help of Congress then it will be difficult times for the latter.

Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerji and Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa will then play tough to push the national politics towards early election, because in their respective states they would like to en-cash the prevailing goodwill in their favour to win more seats in Lok Sabha to increase their stake for bigger pie of power in New Delhi.

Sources in the Congress admit that a clear majority for SP will pressurise the United Progressive Alliance, unless Mulayam Singh, after becoming the chief minister, adopts the 'go slow' approach and comes forward to help UPA government by extending its full support in the budget session.

Wait and watch for more in this space!

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