Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Monday reiterated that the party was firm on contesting 144 seats. The occasion was the programme organised to induct eight sitting independents legislators into NCP fold. Party state president Sunil Tatkare was also present on the occasion.
Independent legislature who joined NCP are: Mansinghrao Naik (Shirla), Balasaheb Patil (Karad), Makrand Patil (Wai), Ramesh Thorat (Daund), Balasaheb Patil (Ahmadpur), Suresh Deshmukh (Wardha), Sahebrao Patil (Amalner), minister Dilip Sopal (Barshi) and Samajwadi Party MLA Sharad Gavit (Nawapur).
Congress leader Rajan Teli and his supporters from Konkan also joined NCP on Monday.
The 288-member outgoing assembly has 24 independents, most of them Congress and NCP rebels who won defeating official nominees in 2009.
"The talk of seat sharing with Congress is on hold. We hope to resume talks soon. Senior leaders from both the parties will thrash out the issue. We are firm on our demand. However, we are ready to respect the Congress demand, it being a big brother. In politics, no one is small or big. It's something that has been proven by the Sena, BJP fight," said Pawar.
On people leaving NCP, Pawar said there were many complaints against these leaders from the local people, and that NCP was about to take action against them when they left. We are now relived," said the deputy CM.
He also said the party might deny ticket to some sitting MLAs. "There are many ministers and legislators who do not want to contest. So, we will give opportunity to fresh faces. All legislators inducted into the party will be given tickets," said Pawar.
He said in the state polls there would be no Modi wave. "Narendra Modi is not a candidate, and state polls is a different ball game. We are confident of coming back to power," he said.
'Let Sonia come back'
Meanwhile, party president Sharad Pawar told reporters in Kolhapur that once the Congress president, who is out of the country, comes back, the final discussion on seat sharing would take place. "Both Congress and NCP have consciously decided to fight polls together. The list of candidates will be declared immediately after the seat sharing issue is resolved," said Pawar.
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