NCP-Congress split evident: Sunil Tatkare

Though the NCP has not announced it officially, it has taken the decision to split with the Congress in municipal council, nagar panchayat and MLC elections.

State president Sunil Tatkare, in a meeting with 40 prabharis (party in-charges of district) held at Y.B. Chavan Centre in Mumbai on Wednesday, indicated to contest the elections solely. Also present at the meeting were senior party leaders including Ajit Pawar and Dilip Walse Patil, and sitting members of Upper House (MLCs).

According to party insider, the leaders reviewed the strength of NCP and Congress in 165 municipal councils and nagar panchayats where the elections are due. Besides discussions on their tie-up with the Congress, the leaders also calculated the profits and losses in the MLC election if contested separately.

The source said most of the in-charges suggested contesting all polls, including MLC and municipal council and nagar panchayat, alone. Mr Tatkare said, “We have informed the Congress about the seat sharing in MLC polls. Now, they have to take the final call. We are following the old formula of Congress contesting the seats it represents.” “The ball is Congress’s court and we are waiting for its reply. Once we will know its stand, we will take final decision on our alliance and then announce our candidates,” he added.

“Mr Tatkare told us that the NCP would not wait for any reply from the Congress and would fight the elections alone,” said a source.

Another party leader said, “During a meeting, Pawarsaheb questioned Congress’ claims over Sangli-Satara MLC seat and Bhandara-Gondia, while the NCP has the majority there ”

Congress’ Patangrao Kadam’s brother Mohan Kadam is vying to contest from Sangli-Satara, Gopaldas Agrawal’s son from Bhandara-Gondia and ex-minister Shivajirao Moghe’s close confident Shankar Bade, four-time president of Pandharkawada civic body, is eyeing the Yavatmal seat.