Congress, NCP firm on alliance; to talk seats on Tuesday

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday turned down a proposal by the Congress to give it 124 seats against its demand for half of the total 288 for the state elections, but agreed to meet again to work out a resolution on the seat-sharing on Tuesday.

The NCP had on Saturday given a 24-hour ultimatum to the Congress on its demand to contest 144 seats in the October 15 election, after which chief minister Prithviraj Chavan called the party's senior leader Praful Patel on the phone.

Patel reciprocated the call and also spoke to Ahmed Patel, political advisor to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

On Monday, its senior leader Praful Patel said, "Ultimatum is given by the EC to file nominations before September 27. We have very little time left and that is why we hope for positive discussions with the Congress."

NCP leaders are scheduled to meet with state leaders of the Congress at the chief minister's residence on Tuesday morning on the seat-sharing issue.

Earlier, the NCP core committee met at the residence the party's state unit president Sunil Ttakare in Mumbai. The meeting was chaired by party president Sharad Pawar.

Asked whether the NCP would stick to its demand for 144 seats, Patel said, "We will discuss what is practicable and in the interest of the state and our alliance."

Patel said that NCP leaders had tried to contact Congress leaders on Monday, but that they were occupied with the central election committee meeting in New Delhi, and therefore the discussions would be held on Tuesday. The outcome of the discussions would be conveyed to Sharad Pawar who would take the final decision.

Patel explained that in 2009 the NCP had fought the elections for 124 seats and therefore there was nothing new in the Congress offer. "We don't want to discuss about those 124 seats now. We want to discuss about the exchange of seats and other issues," he said.

He said that in 1999 it was the NCP that took the initiative to set up the alliance to keep secular forces united. "It was the NCP which gave the post of chief minister to the Congress despite winning more seats in the state elections in 2004. The NCP is the most responsible alliance partners of the Congress."

The NCP core committee meeting was attended by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, senior leaders Chhagan Bhujbal, Madhukar Pichad, RR Patil, minister of state Sachin Ahir and state unit fprmer president Bhaskar Jadhav.

NCP preparing for all 288?
NCP insiders told dna that the party has held discussions on all the 288 assembly seats. While engaging the Congress in seat-sharing talks, the party reviewed preparedness to contest all the seats. On Monday, Praful Patel made it clear that the chief minister would be from the party that wins more seats. At the same time he refuted reports that the party had other plans, saying, "These kinds of misunderstandings are spread about the NCP. The party does not have any other plan."