Congress to form own government in UP: Jairam Ramesh

Thiruvananthapuram : Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that the Congress is fighting the Uttar Pradesh election to form its own government and stressed that it was “not a make-or-break” election for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

“All this talk is premature as the Congress party is not fighting to form a coalition government but to form a government on its own,” Ramesh told reporters here when asked whether the Congress will forge a post-poll alliance with any other party.

He, however, sought to dispel the impression in political circles that the performance of the party in Uttar Pradesh will impact the political fortunes of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi who has been deeply involved in building up the party in the state.

“One election is not a make-or-break election,” said Ramesh, also a close aide of Rahul Gandhi.

However, he added that Rahul Gandhi had “invested a lot of political capital in the campaign and stressed that it is bound to pay dividends.”

“There is a new life to the Congress in Uttar Pradesh and the party is very visible in this election,” said Ramesh Saturday night before winding up a trip to Kerala.

“Once the Congress emerges as a major player in UP after 22 years, it will bring a fundamental transformation to national politics,” said Ramesh, striking an upbeat note on the prospects of the party in the state elections that end March 3.