New Delhi/Hyderabad, Mar 20 : Congress has said it was deeply hurt by the deal cut out by its old ally, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), by offering only three out of 40 parliamentary seats in Bihar.

"There is a deep sense of hurt at offering us a paltry three to four seats. Certainly, we as a party are entitled to assert that we should be given many more seats and certainly we do not accept that figure. I think both those stands are fully compatible," said Abhishek Singhvi, party spokesman.

On Tuesday, the RJD and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) announced a pact with RJD getting 25 seats and LJP 12.

Lalu, however, has underplayed any rift with the Congress.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said they would not like to have any alliance with the Congress which has been unable to give a seat for a prominent leader in Bihar.

"If Congress-RJD combine cannot even accommodate one of our topmost leader Tariq Anwar from Bihar, I don''t see any reason why NCP Party) should have any alliance anywhere in this country. I will meet Sharad Pawar and put forward the view, " said P. A. Sangma, a NCP leader.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who has been fielding questions on internal rift over the appointment of businessman Sudhanshu Mittal, seems to have prepared over the controversy.

"There were minor differences within the party on certain issues but Jaitley has been working 24/7 for the party, for the elections and that is continuing," said Balbir Punj, a BJP leader.

Communist Party of India (Marxist), which has come up with a newly formed Third Front, said all secular forces should come together to make their effort a success.

"Policy directional shift is possible only with an alternative political formation. So, we are appealing to all secular parties to recognize the need for a shift in policy trajectory of the country, which can only be brought about by such a political alternative and therefore strengthen this political alternative," said Sitaram Yechury, CPI (M) leader in Hyderabad. (ANI)