Deadlock continues over Congress-NCP seat sharing, both parties talk tough

The seat-sharing talk between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) seems to have hit a deadlocked for the upcoming state assembly elections.

The Congress has decided not to buckle under pressure from the NCP by meeting its demand of 144 seats out of a total 288. After August 19 meeting between both the parties, no further meet has taken place in last 20 days, even though the state election is round the corner.

Nawab Malik, the NCP spokesperson told dna that they have already submitted their demand-cum-proposal to the Congress. "Now, the Congress has to respond to it. We are ready to negotiate some seats but our demand should be respected. In alliance, there are differences of opinions and it takes time to arrive on a mutual formula. We are sure and confident that the seat-sharing issue will be ironed out in the coming days," Malik said.

Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister and NCP leader is of the view that if the Congress does not meet its demand, then NCP should go solo in state polls. However, NCP president Sharad Pawar has different opinions.

"Actually, we have prepared the 288 candidates list and even conducted interviews. If the seat-sharing talks falter, then we may go with plan-B. Sr Pawar has decided if the BJP is not making an alliance with the Shiv Sena, then the NCP will also contest solo. In case the saffron allies are contesting together, then the NCP will forge an alliance with the Congress to avert splitting of secular votes," said a senior NCP leader, requesting anonymity.

On the other hand, Manikrao Thakare, president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) clarified that the Congress would not ratify the NCP demands. "We are thinking of giving the NCP seats where we lost the polls consecutively for three years. We will swap with those seats of the NCP where they failed to win. It will be a vice-versa proposal," said senior Congress leader requested anonymity.

Political observers said that these are the pressure tactics used by all political parties to grab as many seats as possible. "Currently, the political situation in the state is in favour of the BJP-Sena due to anti-incumbency and lack of pro-active leadership in the Congress. For the Congress-NCP, it is difficult to return in power, but by contesting maximum seats and subsequently, winning them will help them put forward a strong claim on the opposition's post. It is a very important post to raise issues in the assembly and expand its base at the same time. Therefore, the Congress-NCP is not fighting to get the chief minister's post but the opposition as well," said an observer.

Besides, the election code of conduct has not yet been declared so there is no time-bound pressure on the parties to resolve their seat sharing issue. "The seat-sharing will be resolved in Delhi. The current controversial talk is just to grab media attentions and put additional pressure on its allies. Once Pawar saheb and Congress president Sonia Gandhi declares that both will fight together, there is no question of going solo," a NCP leader clarified.