Cong looking for 60-plus seats, deadlock over 3: Tariq

WITH barely 48 hours remaining for the first phase of nominations in the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress on Tuesday said that the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) may finalise the seat-sharing formula on Wednesday, and it will make a formal announcement soon.

- PREETHA NAIR @New Delhi

Speaking to this newspaper, Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP from Bihar’s Katihar, Tariq Anwar, said that the main allies, Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), will conclude the talks on Wednesday and announce the seat-sharing formula. The party is eyeing contesting 60-plus seats, he said, asserting that the party wants a respectable tally that will boost its chances of electoral success. “Rahul Gandhi will hold a meeting with the state leaders and others in the evening, and a decision will be taken,” he said.