Secret meeting between Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray generates speculation that Sena may dump BJP and go with the NCP.
Developments following the secret meeting between NCP president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, have set political circles buzzing about all kinds of possibilities ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
There is speculation that the Shiv Sena and BJP might end their long-standing alliance in search of new partners.
Even Congress workers are allegedly mounting pressure on their leaders to break ties with the NCP, which they feel they cannot trust any more.
Political managers across the main parties — the Congress, NCP, BJP and Shiv Sena — admit they will likely have to contend with both partners’ betrayal and the forging of new friendships.
MPCC chief Manickrao Thackre said, “If the NCP wants to become our ally, it should agree to our terms and conditions. The Congress will contest 27 seats and the NCP, 21.” While NCP leaders have kept their options with the Sena open, their state leaders are assuring the Congress they want to start seat-sharing talks on February 26-27, thus sending out confusing signals to the Congress cadre.
The BJP is anxiously waiting to hear back from the Sena. The general secretary said, “If they have to enter into seat sharing, Uddhav will have to talk with BJP chief Nitin Gadkari. If the Sena wants to tie-up with the NCP we have no problems. We are ready to become the Opposition for the next five years.”
Observers feel Pawar’s meeting with Uddhav in Delhi is the first step towards the former trying to swing the saffron vote towards his own party. In a tactical move, Pawar is exploiting dissidents within every organisation to tap potential candidates across party lines.
Top leaders in the Congress and BJP are still not ruling out a covert understanding between the Sena-NCP. Backdoor meetings in NCP, BJP, Shiv Sena and Congress have gained momentum as each party prepares its Plan B based on ‘Pawar play’.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}