The Congress took a jibe at rebel Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh for his remark that he could understand Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's "pain" when she was "humiliated" by Mulayam Singh Yadav, saying it took him a long time to understand it.
"It took him a long time to understand the pain. I was surprised to see that he challenged Mulayam Singh Yadav on his home turf. We would like Amar Singh to contest elections because the true assessment of a politician can be made only in people's court. Amar Singh should fight elections," said All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh Digvijay Singh.
The Congress leader was replying to questions over the SP leader's remarks that the Bahujan Samaj Party supremo has proved herself against all odds and he can understand her "pain" when she was "humiliated" by Yadav.
The Congress at the same time said apparently in a lighter vein that if Singh wants to join Congress, he has to take the initiative.
Asked whether the Congress would think over if Amar took the initiative to join the Congress, Digvijay Singh said the party "will definitely think".
"But the initiative should come from him." He added that a decision on it would be taken by party president Sonia Gandhi.
Asked whether Amar was warming up to the BSP because the Congress is not welcoming him, the AICC leader said, "There is no question of welcoming or not welcoming Amar Singhji. There is a process for it in the party".
Digvijay Singh said those who wanted to join Congress from other parties have to approach either the Pradesh Congress Committee or the AICC, and then the party president would take a decision after making an assessment.
He also maintained that Amar was still a member of the Rajya Sabha of Samajwadi Party and his membership would go if he joined any other party.
The Congress leader, however, evaded a direct reply when asked whether Amar's joining the BSP would strengthen Mayawati's party and pose a challenge for the Congress, saying this was a "very hypothetical question" and would comment on it only after this happens.
Earlier, Amar, while stating that he was not without alternatives, heaped praise on Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Both Mayawati and Gandhi have "proved themselves against all odds", Singh, who is under pressure to quit his Rajya Sabha seat, said.
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