Congress-NCP alliance faces obstacles

Mumbai: The mega alliance envisaged by the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha (LS) elections in 2019 face obstacles. While some of the allies have demanded more seats, others are not willing to contest on the symbols of Congress or NCP, as demanded by these major parties.

The top leaders of Congress, NCP, and their allies such as Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), left parties held discussions on Friday. However, no clear picture emerged from the discussion, said sources.

According to sources, the Congress and the NCP have offered the allies only three seats. However, the allies are not satisfied over the formula and are demanding more seats.

In the mega alliance, the Palghar constituency is likely to be given to Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, Akola to Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh (if Prak-ash Ambedkar decides to join the alliance) and Hatkanangale constituency to Raju Shetti-led Swabhimani Shetkar Sanghatana (SSS).

However, the SSS has demanded six seats (Kolhapur, Sangli, Hatkanangale, Vardha, Buldhana, Madha) for the LS elections.  Rajendra Gawai from the RPI-Gawai group has also demanded Amravati constituency for LS polls and refused to contest the elections on the Congress and NCP symbol.