They underestimated us

Dubai: Terming the decision of the SP and BSP to keep the Congress out of their pre-poll alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha in UP a political one, Congress president Rahul Gandhi vowed that his party will fight for each Lok Sabha seat in the state with full zeal and energy.

He said the two parties may have "underestimated" Congress’ strength. Rahul, on his maiden visit to the UAE, made it clear that neither he nor his party were consulted before the decision was made. But he said he wasn't "disappointed" over the same. "It was a political decision and we respect it. I respect Mayawati ji and I also respect Akhilesh and Mulayam Singh Yadav ji.

But now even the Congress will have to do its work and we will fight with full zeal and vigour. The Congress won't back down and will fight with all its might," Rahul said. Gandhi is slated to address 10 public meetings in Uttar Pradesh in February and is slated to make more frequent visits to the state in the run-up to the polls in a bid to boost the party's prospects.