NCP to strike roots in Karnataka by next polls

Reports of the Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) trying to find a foothold in Karnataka are not mere rumours. A group of disgruntled Congress MLAs, on Thursday, announced their plans to establish the NCP as a political force in the state.

“Those capable of building the party are being neglected in Congress. Only sycophants are being rewarded with prominent posts. We are frustrated with this attitude in the party and so preparing to quit the party,” said Congress MLA BC Patil, after exercising his franchise in the legislative council by-poll on Thursday.

“Even those who have are four- or five-time MLAs have been neglected. We will not join the NCP immediately. But, by next general election, the NCP will take roots as a strong political force,” he added.

It is not just disgruntled leaders in the Congress alone, there are about 30-40 MLAs across the Congress, JD(S) and BJP. Almost all of them are set to join the NCP, said Patil.

The bold  moves are seen as part of a larger plan of the NCP to lure a few charismatic leaders from various parties to launch the NCP and bag eight to 10 seats in next Lok Sabha election to enable NCP chief Sharad Pawar to emerge as a contender for the prime minister’s post. The leaders see a good opportunity to emerge as kingmakers in the state after the next assembly election.