``We tried to unite anti-BJP votes to defeat communal forces but unfortunately have not been able to do so. The Congress will go it alone in the Assembly polls. We could not come together because of problems with other parties,'' she told reporters gathered at the Press Club of India.

She also indicated that if Congress came to power in Delhi it would not insist on bringing the Delhi Police under state control. She said: ``We do not want to poke our noses into areas which do not concern us. But as when there is a Congress Government at the Centre, this matter of giving Delhi Police to Delhi Government would be revised''.

Defending the leaders allegedly involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, H.K.L. Bhagat and Sajjan Kumar, being in charge of election affairs, she said: ``They are contesting, but they will not get tickets. But after decades of experience in party affairs, we need to utilise their services. In any case, emphasis should be on the fact that these leaders are only being `suspected' of being involved in the riots. ``Once the law decides it for a fact, we will go by that and will not defend these people,'' she said.

On giving tickets to `tainted Congressmen' she said: ``We have received over 1,800 applications for the 70 seats in Delhi and each of them is being scrutinised. Each applicant has given an affidavit regarding any involvement in criminal activities. Mere registration of an FIR will not be considered unless there is a case pending against a particular candidate,'' she said.

She said the Congress was not projecting anybody as the Chief Ministerial candidate. ``Our Chief Minister or Leader of the Opposition would be chosen by our MLAs,'' she said evading the question on whether or not she was contesting the polls.

Accusing the BJP of misrule, indifference and mismanagement, she said: ``After the mustard oil adulteration and onion crisis, the nexus between the powers that be and the blakmarketeers is very clear''.

But what did the Congress have on its agenda to check price rise. She said: ``We will take hard steps including a crackdown on hoarders and black-marketeers. The Public Distribution System needs to be strengthened to ensure that the common man gets least affected by price rise''.

Asked about the fate of women candidates, she said: ``We are making every effort to get as many women as possible. It was the Congress party which implemented 33 per cent reservation for women in Nagar Palikas and Panchayats''.