While the Congress and the NCP have tied themselves up in knots over the seat sharing for the state assembly elections, some Congress leaders including MLC Anandrao Patil, a close confidante of chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, are demanding that the two parties get into "friendly fights" in western Maharashtra, which they claim, could work in favour of the ruling alliance.
Move to check Sena, BJP
Patil told dna that the Congress and the NCP are contesting on their individual strengths in the region where lies much of the support base of the ruling alliance. This may work against the Shiv Sena and the BJP, which may otherwise tap into the anger of either party members who may have been denied a ticket.
Sonia's decision to be final
Patil, who is the former vice-chairman of the Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) and the Satara district president of the Congress, said all Congress district chiefs from western Maharashtra have demanded that the party get into friendly fights with the NCP instead of getting into an alliance. "We will abide by the decision taken by Sonia Gandhi madam (regarding the alliance), but it is our responsibility to bring to the notice (of the party leadership) the demands made by the people," he added, claiming that this strategy to contest polls separately would yield dividends in terms of increased numbers in the legislature for both parties.
Local level contests a must
"There are some constituencies where only the Congress and the NCP exist with no trace of other fronts. If the seat goes to us, a NCP leader will go to another party and fight. To stop this, local level contests are necessary," said Patil, noting that in 1999, the Congress and the NCP (which had been just formed) had inched out the Shiv Sena and the BJP from power.
"We have demanded that the 1999 pattern be repeated in western Maharashtra," said Patil, adding that the two parties stood to gain. He pointed out that the Congress and NCP were already contesting the local body polls against each other.
Satara a sure win for Chavan
Patil said Congress workers from Satara were demanding that chief minister Chavan contest from the Karad (south) constituency taking into consideration that the developmental works undertaken in the constituency during his tenure, Chavan should be elected unopposed. Incidentally, the constituency is represented in the state legislative assembly by former minister and veteran Congressman Vilaskaka Patil Undalkar who is said to be at odds with the chief minister.
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