Akola, Oct 02: Asserting that Congress was solely responsible for the defeat of its candidate in Solapur Lok Sabha by-elections, NCP president Sharad Pawar today said "negligence and inaction" of the party had resulted in the poll debacle. NCP was not at all guilty for the defeat of Congress candidate Anandrao Devkate, he said while addressing Amravati division NCP workers at Washim, nearly 80 kms from here.

Stating that NCP's position and image was better than Congress or BJP in Maharashtra, Pawar said that the party would form an alliance with Congress for state assembly elections, if the latter came forward with an open mind.
Devkate was defeated by Sena-BJP candidate Pratapsinh Mohite-Patil in the by-election to the Lok Sabha seat, vacated by Sushilkumar Shinde, after he became chief minister.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Chhagan Bujbal was also present at the meeting.
Bureau Report