DNA EXCLUSIVE: Congress struggles to stitch alliance with NCP, other parties in Maharashtra

Even while the BJP and Shiv Sena have together launched state-wide rallies, the Congress party in Maharashtra is struggling to arrive at a seat-sharing pact with the Nationalist Congress Party and other like-minded parties. Despite two meetings addressed by party president Rahul Gandhi in party's traditional stronghold Dhule and Mumbai on March 1, the Congress is unable curb factionalism in various districts in a bid to stay united to take BJP or Shiv Sena head on. Congress is expected to contest 25 of the 48 seats while 23 seats will be contested by the NCP. The Congress has yet to spare one seat from its quota to the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) led by farmer's leader Raju Shetti.

Former minister, who is currently engaged in negotiations with the NCP and like-minded parties said,''Even though Rahul Gandhi is working hard to put up a strong fight against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party organisation in Maharashtra is completely paralysed due to weak organisational network, intra-party feud and disconnect with the young and new voters. Besides, there has been a lack of coordination between top leadership and district and village-level which is a major negative.'' He informed that leaders keen to contest ensuing election are simply bothered about their district and not about the state.

Another legislator said Congress has staked claims over Osmanabad and Raver which are in NCP's quota. On its part, NCP has expressed its desire to field its nominee in Aurangabad by exchanging Raver to Congress. Besides, NCP has also offered Amravati in exchange of Aurangabad. ''The seat-sharing exercise started about three months ago but unable to close it due to lack of decisive leadership of the Congress party. However, the seat-sharing arrangement is expected to be finalised after a meeting between Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar slated for Tuesday morning in New Delhi,'' he informed A six-term party legislator, who is also the Congress party's national executive member, admitted that lack of resources especially financial ones has been a major issue to face mighty BJP. ''The party nominees and other aspirants have clearly told the leadership that financial crunch will be a major issue and sought substantial assistance citing that they cannot match BJP's resources,'' he said.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Ratnakar Mahajan however, said that the voters are actually in favour of Congress and other like-minded parties considering the NDA government's dismal performance. ''It remains to be seen how Congress and its allies are able to cash in on resentment against the NDA government,'' he viewed.

TOUGH ROAD AHEAD

• Congress in Maha is struggling to arrive at a seat-sharing pact with the NCP and other like-minded parties 
   
• Party is unable to curb factionalism in various districts in a bid to stay united to take BJP or Shiv Sena head on 
   
• In Maha, it is expected to contest 25 of the 48 seats while 23 seats will be contested by the NCP