Announcing this at a Press conference, SP's State unit president Balubhai Nakum said though the party was in favour of contesting all the 26 seats in the State, a decision to this effect would soon be taken by the Central leadership.

He said party president Mulayam Singh Yadav will arrive in the State after August 22 to address public meetings. Actor Raj Babbar and party general secretary Azam Khan are also expected to participate in the poll campaign.

He said as per the seat adjustments, the party would get full support from NCP and CPI and CPM, besides other political groups including Janata Dal, Republic Party of India and trade unions in various sectors. The party also had the support of minority communities in the State, he claimed.

Nakum, who is contesting the polls from Surat, disclosed that the party would field former Congress corporator from Jamalpur Gajju Khan Pathan for the Ahmedabad constituency. Pathan, believed to be a strong Congress supporter, shifted loyalties after he was detained under TADA during the 1992 communal riots and failed to get any support from the Congress leaders.

Other party candidates include Jayendrasinh Jhala (Surendranagar), Mohammed Irfan Pora (Godhra), Babubhai Rabari (Kapadwanj), Madan P Barot (Sabarkantha), Jethabhai Der (Jamnagar and Porbander) and Dr Ramesh Makwana (Bhavnagar).