Won’t need Cong crutches: NCP

Chavan said NCP has done a lot for the city’s development and would find favour with voters. “When we assumed power in 2007,the city was in potholes. The NCP played a crucial role in changing the face of the city by bringing in a number of development projects. We are confident of voters acknowledging this. We don’t need Congress crutches to win,” he said.

The Congress-NCP alliance in the civic body hit a low on Saturday over the civic standing committee chairman’s post after the NCP voted for a BJP candidate,catching the Congress unawares. As per a pact between senior leaders of the both parties,the standing committee post was to be held by the two parties alternately. However,the Congress insisted on retaining it for the second consecutive year,which,the NCP said,was against the spirit of the alliance.

The Congress,on the other hand,accused NCP of going back on its word. Chavan said,“It is the Congress which deceived us and refused to keep its commitment. Congress is misleading Puneites by dishing out false information.”

NCP House leader Nilesh Nikam said if the Congress was so eager to contest on its own and was showing distrust in NCP,then why was it holding on to the posts of education board chairperson and deputy mayor? “If it calls itself a principled party,then it should give up both the posts. If it is calling us names,then why is it taking our support ?”

On Saturday,Kalmadi,Congress city president Abhay Chhajed and party leader in PMC Aba Bagul,while calling for fighting the civic polls alone,had remained evasive about the said posts. When contacted on Tuesday,Chhajed said they had not decided anything. “Whether to retain or give up the posts,Congress has not taken any decision,” he said. Another Congress leader,Arvind Shinde,is blaming his own party leaders for mishandling Saturday’s election.

Chavan said the NCP was forced to vote for BJP because of Kalmadi’s adamant approach. “Congress is the only party close to NCP. But because of Kalmadi’s stubborn attitude NCP contested the poll,” she said.