Mumbai: In the backdrop of the outcome of elections in five states, the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) leadership in Maharashtra has asked Congress leadership to finalise the alliance talks at the earliest. Sources informed The Asian Age that the NCP leadership has pointed out at the positive temperament among the people and the early announcement of an alliance will give sufficient time for smaller parties to prepare on the ground level. Congress high command is likely to seal the deal in Maharashtra at the earliest, sources revealed.
According to sources, the Congress and NCP have decided to contest the general and Assembly elections together. They have reportedly also decided a seat-sharing formula for Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. Both the parties will contest 24 seats each and the smaller parties will be adjusted from the respective quotas. But the decision on six more seats is yet to be taken to which both parties have made claims. The reason why the alliance talks have been on hold for last three weeks, sources added.
Sources in the NCP claimed that its leadership has asked Congress leadership on Monday to expedite the alliance talks. “Just six months are left for the election. People are looking for a change. But they need a clear picture of the alternative to the BJP. That’s why our alliance formation needs to be done at the earliest. Our leadership has conveyed this to Congress,” said former minister and senior leader of NCP.
Congress and NCP will have to accommodate Raju Shetti’s Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Hitendra Thakur’s Bahujan Vikash Aghadi and Communist Party of India (Marxist) in their grand alliance. Also, they will have to see that Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh’s Prakash Ambedkar comes in their fold. “If we could give the picture of a formidable alliance to the people, our prospects of win will increase. That’s why we need to make things fast,” NCP leadership reportedly told the Congress.
