Uttar Pradesh Congress president Salman Khurshid met state governor T V Rajeswar today amid reports of the party extending outside support to the Bahujan Samaj Party which is the frontrunner to form the next government in the state.

Khurshid was closeted with the governor for about an hour.

What rediff.com predicted: More than 184 for Mayawati

Other smaller parties have also expressed their willingness to support the BSP, party sources revealed.

Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is expected to hand in his resignation to the governor this evening after the assessment of the party's performance.

BSP chief Mayawati, who was closely monitoring the results at her residence since this morning, has conveyed to the media that she will speak to them only after the results are officially announced by the Election Commission.

Apna Dal, an alliance partner of the BJP, said they are keeping all options open on their support to any government formation in the state.'' We will try to go with the BJP but the scenario would be reviewed after all the results are out, '' said party president Sone Lal Patel.

According to the latest trends available, the BSP, almost touching the 200-mark, raced past the ruling Samajwadi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party in the 403-member assembly.

Sources close to Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee told UNI here that though the final proposal would be sent to Mayawati after the announcement of the final tally, the party was contemplating giving outside support to the BSP.

The state BSP headquarters was abuzz with activities as party workers, smelling victory, took a headlong plunge into celebration mode and festive scenes could be witnessed in all corners of the office.

"The results are on the expected lines and the party is likely to form a majority government in the state," BSP general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra said.