Congress, NCP reach seat-sharing deal; UPA set to repeat of 26:22 formula in Maharashtra

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Congress and NCP inked a seatsharing formula for the Lok Sabha polls on the traditional formula of the former contesting 26 seats and latter 22. Sharad Pawar is now expected to end his blow-hot-blow-cold tactics towards Congress and his remarks seen to favour BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi. For the past fortnight, Pawar and NCP have been striking a belligerent public posture after the AICC demanded it contest less number of seats this time.

After talks in Delhi on Monday evening, NCP leader Praful Patel said the seat-sharing talks have been concluded and that “both sides will contest the same number of seats as the last elections”. While Pawar and Patel represented the NCP side, Congress was represented by senior leaders AK Antony, Ahmed Patel, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and AICC general secretary incharge Mohan Prakash.

It was decided that Kolhapur constituency, a bone of contention, would go to NCP. The party lost Kolhapur seat in 2009 to NCP rebel Sadashiv Mandalik. In western Maharashtra, where BJP-Shiv Sena’s alliance partner Raju Shetty will contest should go to NCP, a top leader of NCP said. Both parties are also keen on a pact with RJD and LJP in Bihar.

Congress trying for early LS list

NEW DELHI: The central election committee of AICC is expected to hold meetings this week onwards as the party high command is keen to announce Lok Sabha candidates in all states at the earliest to ensure enough campaign time.