NCP blames Prithviraj Chavan for failure of Congress-NCP pact

Mumbai: NCP today blamed Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan for the failure of the parties to formalise an alliance for the November 19 Legislative Council elections.
State NCP president Sunil Tatkare told reporters that "some leaders have an apathy towards NCP since its inception."

"When majority of Congress leaders are positive for an alliance with NCP to avoid split in votes, some leaders are creating roadblocks in finalisation of alliance. It is due to this attitude that the alliance was called off before 2014 Assembly polls," he said without naming Chavan.

"There is still time to for the Congress to withdraw their candidates where NCP has sitting members. If Congress is willing, we are open to discussions," he said.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said his party had not fielded candidate in Nanded where Congress has sitting member.

"If Congress withdraws from seats where we are contesting, we will support Congress in Nanded, but it looks like some leaders from Satara want to bring trouble for Ashok Chavan in Nanded," he claimed.

During a meeting with NCP to discuss prospects of poll alliance, Congress emphasised that they would want to contest three out of six seats, including Nanded.

Malik said Prithviraj Chavan's insistence that Congress contest the Sangli-Satara local bodies seat caused a deadlock in alliance.

"In Sangli-Satara, out of total 312 votes, NCP has 200 votes while Congress has 72 votes, BJP has 15, Shiv Sena 7, Shetkari Sanghatna one and independents six. How can Congress claim this seat?" Malik asked.

He also hit out at the advertisements of the Maharashtra government on completing 2 years in office.

"Instead of Maharashtra's growth and progress in the last two years, the state is crying and on the downhill. Muscle power is used in politics and social harmony is destroyed. Law and order is at its lowest ebb. Women are not safe," he said.

"Women and Child Minister Pankaja Munde and Tribal Minister Vishnu Sawra should be sacked," he said.

Malik also asked how the state can be called farmer friendly when there have been highest number of farmer suicides.