Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: While major political parties are leaving no stone unturned for the fast approaching 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief has said that whichever party crosses the 180-seat mark will form the next government at the Centre.
The veteran politician made these remarks on Monday.
Referring to BJP`s PM candidate Narendra Modi, Pawar said that Gujarat Chief Minister`s controversial personality will not act as a deterrent for his party if it touches the 180-seat mark in the next polls.
"Any party which crosses 180-190 can form the government with the support of regional parties. It will have the opportunity to form the government," Pawar was quoted as saying.
However, the NCP chief was of the opinion that regional players will undoubtedly hold the keys to the formation of next government at the centre.
Driving his point that regional players will play a pivotal role in the formation of next government at the Centre, the NCP leader said, "Essentially, the next government will be formed with the support of many state leaders like Trinamool, AIADMK or DMK, either of the two UP players - Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati – Navin Patnaik and Nitish Kumar. They will be a big factor."
Interestingly, the NCP chief also disagreed that BJP`s projection of Narendra Modi as its PM candidate will impact its post-poll quest for numbers.
It is hardly an issue. It would all depend on the figure, Pawar opined.
He said this in response to questions that BJP would face less trouble if it projects LK Advani as its PM candidate.
The NCP chief also talked about the possible return of Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP to the NDA after or before the 2014 polls.
He, however, disagreed that support for Modi was rising since his nomination as BJP`s PM candidate.
I don`t think that the ground situation is too bad for the Congress or the UPA as a whole, he stated.
Importantly, Pawar also ruled out the repeat of a United Front-type of experiment at the Centre where Congress between 1996 and 1998 supported a non-BJP coalition from outside.
The NCP boss also evaded a direct reply when asked whether congress will benefit by projecting Rahul Gandhi as its PM candidate.
