‘No NCP, Congress merger’

“Our party’s policy is to refrain from personally attacking leaders, but the Congress has been levelling serious allegations against the NCP,” said Praful Patel, Union aviation minister and senior NCP leader, on Thursday. “Congress leaders are doing this to save their chairs.”

He said state Congress office-bearers were temporary custodians and they were acting out because they were losing control. Patel also criticised the chief minister and Congress state chief Prabha Rau’s recent conduct. “They know that their term is about to end, and hence they are crossing ethical limits.”

Patel alleged that Congress leaders were spreading rumours about an NCP merger with the Congress. “There is no question of that happening,” he said. “Our ideology and entity is separate. But we will continue to support the Congress”.