No sign of solution to Congress-NCP seat deadlock

With barely a month to go for the October 15 assembly poll, it is race against time for political parties. But the there is no sign of a resolution over seat sharing between the Congress and its ally Nationalist Congress Party.

Sharad Pawar-led NCP wants 50:50 share from the 288 assembly seats, while Congress is not ready to meet this demand.

Senior NCP leader Praful Patel said they have already put their demand before Congress leaders. "We are still awaiting their reply. After the reply, we can start negotiation and hold talks over seat swapping. If the Congress doesn't respond, we are ready to go solo."

Earlier, there were reports that once Congress president Sonia Gandhi was back in India, seat-sharing talks with Pawar would resume. "Gandhi has already returned the country, but still there is no sign any invitation to NCP for the seat talk. Two days ago, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and MPCC president Manikrao Thakre were in Delhi. However, the issue was not discussed," said a source close to CM.

Taking a tough stand, Chavan on Wednesday said that the Congress could contest 288 seats, if required. "It is very difficult to give 144 seats to NCP. If they stick to their demand, we may have to go solo. But we are still to go together to avoid the bifurcation of secular votes," said Chavan.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar too has reiterated his party's demand for 144 seats. "We are ready to negotiate but our demand should be respected. We treat Congress as big brother so they should behave like it," he had said recently.

Meanwhile, both the parties have conducted interviews of aspirants for all 288 seats. "If the talks fizzle out, we are ready with are plan-B. We have to also increase our strength," said an NCP leader.

Political observer said that all the parties are keeping a close watch on developments in other alliances. "If the BJP and Sena decide to fight independently, Congress and NCP may do the same. Though the Sena-BJP combine has a better chance, their seat row may spoil their chances as it is creating confusion among the voters, said an observer.

He said once the Sena-BJP seat deadlock is resolved, the tussle between Congress and NCP will be solved automatically.