Lucknow: As the SP-BSP alliance unravelled in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday described the tie-up as a "trial" and said it may not always be successful, but helps in knowing the shortcomings.

BSP chief Mayawati on Tuesday declared that her party will fight the assembly bypolls alone, prompting Akhilesh Yadav to say his SP too is ready to go solo. "Yes, there are trials, and sometimes you are not successful, but at least you can know your shortcomings," Yadav told reporters in Lucknow on Wednesday. He also said that he respected Mayawati irrespective of the political equation between the parties. "I stand by my earlier statement that respecting Mayawati ji is same as respecting me," the SP president said. He had made the statement earlier this year when the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) announced tie-up for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "As far as going solo in the bypolls is concerned, I will consult with party leaders and devise a strategy to work in this direction," Yadav said.