NCP mellows down stand on issue of prime ministership

The Nationalist Congress Party softened its stand on the issue of prime ministership on Friday, making it clear that the top post would go to Congress as it is the biggest party in the UPA.

"Congress is the biggest party (in the UPA). Naturally the prime ministership will go to it," NCP leader Praful Patel said.

So far, the NCP had been projecting its chief Sharad Pawar as PM candidate, claiming that Manmohan Singh was the prime ministerial candidate of only Congress, not the UPA.

Replying to a question, he said since no party or group can form the next government on its own, they are in search of new allies.

"I am in touch with SP and Congress for formation of a secular government," he said.

Patel had  said on Thursday that in this era of coalition politics, where NCP has fought elections along with Congress, "the main effort would be to see that a secular UPA govt is formed where Pawar could play an important role". 

However, another NCP leader and former Lok Speaker PS Sangma said in Guwahati that the Congress should gracefully support the candidature of Pawar for the top job.

"It will be good for the country," Sangma said. His comments came against the backdrop of his criticism of the Congress which he said had betrayed the NCP in the formation of the government in Meghalaya.

The NCP leader also said Pawar should work towards the formation of a non-Congress, non-BJP government with him as prime minister.

On the BJP, Sangma said "How can you say BJP is untouchable. It had been elected for 6 years."

"Why not," he shot back to a question on whether NCP would accept BJP's support, adding "if BJP voluntarily comes out and says it will support Sharad Pawar as prime minister, of course, we will take their support."