NCP for non-Cong options in poll-bound states

Even as the Congress leadership remained silent on Union Minister Sharad Pawars offer to give up Food amp; Civil Supplies portfolio,the NCP on Friday turned on the heat on the Congress,saying that it will form a secular democratic front in poll-bound states and will contest next years Assembly election in Kerala jointly with the Left Democratic Front.

The NCPs announcement came in the backdrop of its repeated assertions that it should retain all portfolios allocated to the party as part of coalition arrangement at the Centre,even if Pawar gives up one of his portfolios. Pawar had recently met the Prime Minister offering to give up Food amp; Civil Supplies portfolios.

The Congress,which often took a dig at Pawar blaming him for food inflation,is in favour of bifurcation or even trifurcation of Agriculture,Food amp; Civil Supplies,and Consumer Affairs portfolio,currently held by Pawar.

We would like to be with the Congress but Congress does not want us to be with them. If Congress does not give us space,we will try to find our own space, NCP general secretary D P Tripathi said. He said the NCP will forge an alliance of secular and democratic parties in various states,particularly in Kerala and Assam,where elections are due next year.