The Congress which is expecting to outperform NCP in the number game will ensure it dictates the formation of the next government in state.
Let down by its alliance partner — the NCP, in both the parliamentary elections in May and the assembly polls on Tuesday, the Congress will have to do some tough talking if the alliance gets voted to power in Maharashtra for a third consecutive term.
The Congress which is expecting to outperform NCP in the number game will ensure it dictates the formation of the next government in state. The results will be declared on October 22.
According to an AICC functionary, “If the Congress crosses 75 seats and the NCP is restricted to 50-55 seats, we will not only insist on a chief minister’s post but also home ministry.” The Congress is angry because it believes the NCP top leadership deliberately promoted the rebels against its official candidates across the state.
Insiders in the Congress believe that the NCP game plan was to promote the rebels and the third front, who would support them post elections, thus consolidating their numbers against the Congress. Citing an example a Congress political manager said, “Even if the rebel and third front tally adds to 15 seats the NCP would take their support to strike a hard bargain against the Congress.”
The MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre said, “I am confident that we will emerge as the single largest party way ahead of others. Like-minded parties who will support us in the coalition will have to abide by the coalition politics.”
The strain in the Congress and NCP relations were evident post parliament polls in May. The Congress had submitted a list of ten Lok Sabha constituencies where it alleged the NCP worked against their official candidates. The NCP has played the role of a trouble-maker for the Congress again in the assembly elections.
A senior Congress minister said, “There are 27 assembly segments where the NCP workers did not cooperate with us.” Gauging by the mood in both the camps, it appears there is going to be a prolonged battle as each side will slug out for every single portfolio.
In 2004, the NCP which won 71 seats conceded the chief minister’s post to Congress with lower seats at 69. However, in a bargain, it extracted more ministries. Of the total 42 ministers in the cabinet the Congress held 18 and the NCP, 24.
Top six portfolios like home, finance, public works department, water resources, power and higher and technical education were bagged by the NCP. This time the Congress is cautious not to make the mistake. But in the end, everything will depend on the outcome of the polls.
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