Patna,(BiharTimes): Union surface transport minister Oscar Fernandes on Monday said that a sub-group headed by defence minister A K Antony is looking into the prospect of pre-poll alliance and final decision would be taken by the Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Talking to the media Fernandes, who was on a day-long visit to the state, said that Bihar Congress was also gradually building up its preparation for the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

According to Fernandes the sub-group is assessing various aspects and will hold interaction with the prospective allies.
The Union minister, however, did not comment on the likely alliance with the RJD and LJP in Bihar.

Party sources said that the final decision may be taken in the All India Congress Comiittee meeting to be held in New Delhi on January 17. It is on this day that the party is expected to announce its prime ministerial candidate.

Reports said that though Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar, senior leader Shakeel Ahmad, and Congress legislature party leader, Sadanand Singh, are in favour of an alliance with the RJD, there are a section of Congressmen, who wants to go it alone. They are stating that the image of Lalu Prasad being corrupt––as he has been convicted in the fodder scam case––may harm the prospect of the party in the election.

Oscar Fernandes got an idea of this when he visited Bihta in Patna district on Monday when some Congressmen told him that they are not in favour of the idea to have alliance with the RJD.

But then the party has its own compulsion, as at the national level the Congress is facing a stiff challenge and can not afford to lose allies.