Vora, who had been meeting party's district and city-level workers since yesterday, said he had asked the party's State unit to begin negotiations in this regard if it felt the need for alliance with other parties.

On the party's chances of going along with the Bahujan Samaj Party, Vora said simply that he held both BSP leaders Kanshi Ram and Mayawati in high esteem.

He said different opinions were expressed regarding striking an alliance with another party in the State during his meetings and added he wouldinclude it in his report to the central leadership.

In reply to a question, Vora said people with a criminal background would not be fielded by the party in the forthcoming elections.

When his attention was drawn to the Pachmarhi convention where a resolution was passed denying party tickets to those who had recently joined the party, Vora said new entrants to the Congress did not place preconditions. The party would give them due consideration, he added.

In reply to a question on groupism in the party's Uttar Pradesh unit, Vora said every leader had realised the need to work unitedly.

and resolve differences keeping the wider interests of the party in mind.Later, UPCC president Salman Khursheed told reporters a core group of non-controversial leaders had been constituted in the State to try and bring together all the factions through talks.

He said consultations were on with Lok Dal leaders Ajit Singh for an alliance and there were chances of his joining hands with the Congress.