New Delhi, January 9: Congress President Rahul Gandhi met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar in Delhi at the latter's residence to discuss strategy ahead Lok Sabha Polls. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP leader Praful Patel were also present in the meeting. Meanwhile, on January 8, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president Chandrababu Naidu met the Congress president, Pawar and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during his one-day visit to the national capital. He discussed the possibility of an alliance in the wake of a rally in Kolkata being organised by the Trinamool Congress on January 19, where Opposition parties will put up a show of unity.

"When we reach Kolkata, there could be leaders from some other parties. We have neither met them nor discussed it (Mahagathbandhan) with them. But we are going to suggest them that after the rally, let sit together and discuss the future course of action," Pawar told reporters. Sources said Naidu discussed with Gandhi the strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming general elections. Naidu said he supported the 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections in general category, but the BJP-led Central government should have brought it earlier by discussing it with states. Rahul Gandhi Takes Swipe at Narendra Modi Over Financial Crisis in HAL; Says 'PM Ignored Nation's Interest For Benefiting His Friend'.

Earlier this month, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections 2019 in Uttar Pradesh. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav met BSP supremo Mayawati on January 4 in the national capital to seal the seat-sharing arrangement. The formal announcement on the alliance between the SP and BSP is likely to be made on January 15, 2019, when BSP supremo Mayawati celebrates her birthday. The two parties may organise a joint celebration before announcing a tie-up.

(With inputs from IANS)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 09, 2019 08:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).