Sangma says no to Sonia, NCP dithers

Senior members of the NCP are ‘‘hopeful’’ of avoiding a split in the party and arriving at an amicable settlement on the...

Senior members of the NCP are ‘‘hopeful’’ of avoiding a split in the party and arriving at an amicable settlement on the vexed issue of Sonia Gandhi leading an anti-NDA front.

The issue was raised yet again by P.A. Sangma, her most vocal critic, a day before the party’s national executive meeting. Sangma has opposed the idea of any alliance with the Congress under Sonia and said he would rather join the NDA. ‘‘I cannot be part of any tie-up with the Congress under Sonia Gandhi,’’ he said, adding: ‘‘It goes against my self-respect and the very principles on which the NCP was formed.’’

The NCP is split over the ‘‘secular front’’ issue — on the other side, NCP president Sharad Pawar is open for a pre-poll tie-up with the Congress.

Story continues below this ad

According to Praful Patel, NCP Rajya Sabha member, the issue will be resolved by putting the bare facts before Sangma. Firstly, the option of joining the NDA is closed as talks failed between leaders on both sides. Secondly, the anti-NDA front is not an alliance led by the Congress or under Sonia’s leadership, but it’s a coalition of like-minded parties for seat-sharing, to defeat the NDA. Lastly, Sonia has declared no one will be projected as leader of the coalition before the elections .

Therefore, NCP leaders believe, Sangma’s fears are premature and too early to speculate upon. Says Patel: ‘‘Even we don’t accept Sonia as leader. It is the coalition which will decide the leadership issue after the polls…Sangma’s fears are unwarranted,’’ Patel adds.

NCP members admit Sangma’s anxiety is valid, especially in the North-East. Meanwhile, the party’s Maharashtra unit is opposed to joining the NDA. But Sangma is weary of the Congress claim that any decision on prime ministership would be taken after the polls.