Idea to take MNS on board received positively in NCP: Ajit  

Idea to take MNS on board received positively in NCP: Ajit  

Mumbai: The idea to bring Raj Thackeray-led MNS on board the grand alliance against the BJP-Shiv Sena combine has been received positively by the NCP, its leader Ajit Pawar said Thursday. 

Ajit Pawar said the issue would be discussed with the Congress as well before the nitty-gritty of the alliance is worked out. 

Sources in the NCP said that the issue of taking along the MNS, perceived as being anti-North Indians, was being considered at the level of central leadership of the Congress. 

Ajit Pawar and two other senior leaders of the party - Praful Patel and Jayant Patil - said that Parliamentary board of the NCP, which met here on Thursday, also pressed for its chief Sharad Pawar to throw hat in the election ring again from Madha Lok Sabha seat. 

Party leader Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, who currently represents the seat, said he himself urged Pawar to contest from the seat. 

The leaders, however, said it is the NCP chief who would take a final call in this regard. 

The leaders said the NCP president, who chaired the meeting here, was informed about the discussions the party held with potential allies- like the Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and the CPI(M), while he told them about the parleys held by heads of opposition parties in New Delhi on Wednesday. 

Ajit Pawar also said that the picture of the grand alliance would be made clear before March 9, when he said, the NCP felt the model code of conduct is expected to be in force.
 
"I had met (MNS chief) Raj Thackeray yesterday. I apprised party leaders about it today. We will now discuss the issue with the Congress. The general mood within our party is positive towards taking forward discussion with the MNS," Pawar told reporters after the meeting. 

The meeting between Pawar and the MNS chief, who have in the past engaged in verbal sparring, took place in Dadar in central Mumbai on Wednesday. It lasted for about one-and-a-half hours. 

"Our attempt is to ensure unity to win Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra," Pawar said.
 
Asked if the NCP chief was ready for the MNS to join the grand alliance, Jayant Patil said, "There was no discussion on this".
 
Patel said the final list of the candidates is likely to be announced in the next five to six days. 
The Congress and the NCP are talking to alliance partners and would finalise things in two-three days, he added.
 
The former Union minister exuded confidence that the grand alliance will be able to secure 35 seats in Maharashtra.
 
On making the MNS as part of the grand alliance, Patel said, "The MNS is opposed to the NDA and the BJP. Hence, we are sure, we will get their (of the MNS) co-operation in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls."
 
Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar said that the Congress and NCP will hold joint public rallies of their leaders, including its president Sharad Pawar, in Nanded and Parali in Beed on February 20 and February 23 respectively. 

NCP sources said, Congress general secretary in-charge for Maharashtra Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to attend the rallies along with other party leaders.

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com