After Shinde Sena leader’s remarks, NCP says lack of cooperation would turn polls difficult
NCP chief spokesperson Umesh Patil said, “We will benefit in the elections only if alliance leaders and workers cooperate with each other... If that does not happen, the alliance will remain on paper only and the election could turn difficult for everyone.”
3 min read
For more than a week, Shinde Sena leader Vijay Shivtare has been making statements against Ajit Pawar threatening to contest the Lok Sabha election from Baramati. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)Showing signs of disagreement within the ruling Mahayuti alliance over the seat sharing for the Lok Sabha elections, the Ajit Pawar led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Wednesday warned leaders of allies to “follow the path of cooperation” and that failing to do so would turn the election difficult and the responsibility of if would be on Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde.
Speaking to mediapersons Thursday, NCP chief spokesperson Umesh Patil said, “We will benefit in the elections only if alliance leaders and workers cooperate with each other… If that does not happen, the alliance will remain on paper only and the election could turn difficult for everyone.”
The growing discomfort comes in the backdrop of several statements made by Shinde Sena leader and former minister Vijay Shivtare.
Referring to statements from Shivtare, Patil said, “Such statements are putting a black spot on our alliance. If this continues, the NCP workers across the state will blame no one else but the Chief Minister.”
He added that had it been a worker of NCP speaking ill against CM Shinde, the party would have ensured that the worker keeps his mouth shut.
“It is your (CM) job to ask him to shut his mouth,” said Patil.
For more than a week, Shivtare has been making statements against Ajit Pawar threatening to contest the Lok Sabha election from Baramati. Pawar’s wife Sunetra is likely to be the NCP candidate from this constituency.
Meanwhile, even the opposition MVA has failed to make any notable progress on seat-sharing.
“All 48 seats in the state will be contested by Maha Vikas Aghadi. The final decision will be taken after discussing with all the allies. Some seats may be exchanged after discussion and a decision on this will be taken within two days,” said Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole.
On Thursday morning, Patole and senior party leader Balasaheb Thorat held a meeting with NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut at Pawar’s residence Silver Oak in Mumbai.
Patole said that the discussions over the seat distribution of the MVA were held and talks have been held with the allied parties like Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Samajwadi Party, CPI(M) and also with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.
“Congress party candidates are also almost decided. I am a foot soldier of the party. If I am being ordered to contest the election, I will do it, just like I fought in the 2019 general elections,” said Patole.
He informed that NCP state president Jayant Patil held talks with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.
You May Like
Photos
