Cong-NCP stick to 2004 formula,set to strike deal in Maha

Seat sharing talks between Congress and NCP were learnt to be well on course with the two parties zeroing in on a compromise formula.

Notwithstanding the fissures in the UPA that showed Tuesday after the RJD and LJP cut a deal at the expense of the Congress in Bihar,seat sharing talks between the Congress and the NCP were learnt to be well on course with the two parties zeroing in on a compromise formula,providing for 26:22 ratio in the distribution of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

The NCP had earlier demanded at least 26 seats on the plea that its strength had gone up in the state since the last Lok Sabha election. The Congress,however,insisted on following the same formula that the two parties had adopted in 2004 Congress had then contested 27 seats and the NCP 21.

Sources in the two parties confirmed to The Indian Express today that they were close to striking a deal with the Congress ready to give 22 seats to the NCP. The NCP too is ready to go with the formula because the Congress has agreed to accommodate other allies from its own quota of 26 seats.

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In 2004,out of 21 seats the NCP got,it contested only 18,giving three to allies. Under the new formula being worked out,the NCP will contest all 22 seats,thus gaining four seats. The Congress is also inclined to give one Lok Sabha seat to the NCP in Goa. The NCP,sources said,is also learnt to be negotiating for an alliance with the BJD in Orissa and is likely to clinch one or two seats in the state.

While there is already an agreement on the seat-sharing ratio in Maharashtra,the two parties are now engaged in talks over the respective constituencies they would contest. Sources said there are about half-a-dozen constituencies both parties are looking to contest. This is not going to be a major problem. We will sort it out soon, said a senior Congress leader.

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