11 other reasons why UPA may not need Mulayam,Lalu

• DIGVIJAY SINGH (Banka,Bihar): Minister of State for External Affairs in the NDA government,he was denied a ticket by the JD(U). Defeated RJD leader and Minister of State Jai Prakash Narain Yadav by over 28,000 votes. The JD(U) came third in Banka. Singh said he was ready to back the UPA. “What options do I have? JD(U),the party which has disowned me,is with the BJP,so I cannot go with it,” he said.

•OM PRAKASH YADAV

(Siwan,Bihar): A JD(U) rebel,he defeated RJD candidate and Shahabuddin’s wife Heena Shahab by over 63,000 votes. Likely to support UPA. Digvijay Singh claims they are together.

• KALYAN SINGH (Etah,UP): BJP-rebel who tied up with Mulayam Singh Yadav. Defeated BSP rival by over 125,000 votes. Expected to go with SP. Not clear whether Congress wants his support,given the Babri taint.

• KIRORILAL MEENA (Dausa,Rajasthan): Was minister in Vasundhara Raje government,wife Golma Devi is a minister in Ashok Gehlot’s government. Denied a Congress ticket,he took the Dausa (ST) seat by over 137,000 votes.

• INDER SINGH NAMDHARI (Chatra,Jharkhand): Was Speaker of Jharkhand Assembly during NDA rule in the state. Started with BJP,joined RJD,then JD(U). Contested as Independent despite offers from BJP and JD(U). Won the seat by over 16,000 votes. Does not rule out backing the UPA: “Nobody from Congress has contacted me so far. Let them seek my support,and then I will be in a position to say anything.”

• MADHU KODA (Singhbhum,Jharkhand): Former Jharkhand chief minister. Took the Singhbhum seat by 90,000 votes. More than willing to support the UPA. “I am with the UPA and will remain with the UPA.”

• HASSAN KHAN (Ladakh,J&K): Was MP in 1999. Defeated Congress rival by over 3,500 votes. Enjoyed tacit support of the National Conference. Likely to support UPA.

• SADASHIVRAO DADOBA MANDLIK (Kolhapur,Maharashtra): Was NCP MP in 14th Lok Sabha. This time,defeated NCP rival by nearly 45,000 votes. Had campaigned against both Congress and NCP. May change his mind if UPA reaches out.

• TARUN MONDAL (Joynagar,West Bengal): SUCI member,defeated his RSP rival by over 53,000 votes. Asked about support for UPA,he said: “A decision in this regard will be taken by the party central committee on Monday.”

• RAJU SHETTY (Hatkanangale,Maharashtra): Defeated sitting NCP MP Nivedita Mane in Hatkanangale. Shetty and Mandlik had unsuccessfully sought support from Shiv Sena- BJP.

• BALIRAM JADHAV (Palghar,Maharashtra): Represents Vasai MLA Hitendra Thakur’s Bahujan Vikas Agadhi. May go with UPA since mentor is close to Congress and NCP.

(With ENS from Mumbai)