Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Wednesday indicated a post-poll tie-up with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, but only if needed to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from coming to power. The Congress reacted cautiously, terming it "premature".

Addressing mediapersons after addressing a public meeting in Hamirpur, Mulayam Singh said the party would not join hands with the Congress unless the BJP was in a position to come power in the state.

"If BJP is coming to power, we will join hands with the Congress. Otherwise not," he said.

However, he later said that there was no question of supporting the Congress.

Mulayam Singh's statement comes amidst pre-poll surveys that no party may get simple majority in the new 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly. The seven-phase poll will end on March 3 and the votes will be counted March 6.

In New Delhi, the Congress said that the party was "contesting on its strength and was receiving a positive response".

"We are in the midst of campaign. We are not thinking of joining hands or not with anyone at present," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told IANS.

It was premature to speak about any post-poll alliance at present, Alvi added.

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A month-long showcase, "Dawn Upon Delhi: Rise of a Capital", which opened at the NGMA late Monday evening, has now recreated the making of the city of Delhi from the Mutiny of 1857 to the present day with more than 250 rare documents. Part of this collection above is an artist's view of early 19th century Delhi.