This Article is From Sep 24, 2014

Congress, NCP To Meet Today To Sort Out Seat-Sharing Issue

Congress, NCP To Meet Today To Sort Out Seat-Sharing Issue

File photo: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

New Delhi: Much like the continuing BJP-Sena deadlock, the Congress and ally Nationalist Congress Party are yet to find a way out of the seat-sharing logjam in Maharashtra. After a day of hectic consultations in Delhi on Monday, it was decided that the state's ruling alliance will meet in Mumbai today to sort out the issue.

For both camps, time is running out. Nominations for the assembly elections close on September 27.

The NCP has put senior partner Congress on notice - demanding 50% of the state's 288 assembly seats.

While NCP chief Sharad Pawar is not in favour of a split, his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar believes the party should explore new avenues. There is speculation that the road may even lead to the BJP in case it parts company with Sena.

"In 2004 also, we fought with 124 seats. It's not fair to us," senior NCP leader Praful Patel told NDTV.  

The Congress, which maintains the demand is preposterous, spent the day in a huddle. Party leaders from the Centre and the state -- including Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan -- met at party president Sonia Gandhi's residence.

"We are discussing names for all seats in case the alliance does not work out. We are not waiting for the NCP but talking to them," said Mr Chavan. "There are no deadlines as we are friends," he added in an arch reference to a day's ultimatum handed out earlier by the NCP. (Read: Maharashtra Polls: Prithviraj Chavan Snubs Sharad Pawar's NCP Over 'Ultimatum')

But senior leaders of the NCP appear to be in no hurry to end the partnership. "This is a 15-yr-old alliance. We have weathered many issues," Mr Patel pointed out.

In case the alliance wins, the next trouble area could be the chief minister's seat - which is also at the heart of the BJP-Sena row.

While Mr Chavan made it clear that he was leading the campaign, Mr Patel was categorical that the top job belongs to whichever party does better.

"In the general election, we let the Congress decide the Prime Ministerial candidate because it is the bigger party, but in state polls with two parties, whoever has the numbers should chose the chief minister," he said.
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