With dates for the 2017 Assembly polls to be announced any day, the possibility of a pre-poll alliance between the ruling Samajwadi Party, Congress and Rashtriya lok Dal (RlD), has gained momentum and an announcement in this regard is expected any time next week. The move was expedited as the Opposition parties are now trying to come on one platform to capitalise on the anti-Modi sentiments in the wake of demonetisation. The alliance, if and when it is forged, is clearly a desperate move on part of the SP as well as the Congress to prevent the BJP from coming to power. Such an alliance will also help the SP prevent its minority votes from being divided and also provide a lifeline to the Congress, which has been fighting for its survival in UP. Sources in the SP and Congress said that talks were in an advanced stage and an announcement was expected in two to three days. CM Akhilesh Yadav, who has been talking about the alliance in public in recent weeks, called first time party MlAs to his official residence on Friday evening to discuss the political situation. The meeting is slated to continue on Saturday morning too.