New Delhi: Side-stepping questions on whether it would support a government in Uttar Pradesh in which former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, was a party, Congress said its first priority was the exit of Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state.

"Congress has talked only with Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). We have no talks with Kalyan Singh. But, we are not shying away from him. Let this government (Mayawati government) first go, then we will have a secular coalition government," party spokesman Anand Sharma said when asked if his party would support a government in which Singh is a party.

In an oblique reference to Kalyan Singh's sport to Samajwadi Party in forming an alternative government in UP, he said, "One cannot prevent an individual or party from supporting or opposing anybody or group."

To a pointed question as to who would lead the government in case Mayawati government was toppled, Sharma said it was up to coalition MLAs to decide, but added quickly that Samajwadi Party was the main Opposition party in the state.

He denied that Panchmarhi was buried at the Srinagar conclave of party Chief Ministers, saying the Bangalore session had talked about possibility of tie-ups with like-minded secular parties to take on communal and casteist forces.

PTI