Lalu, CPM flays NCP's flirting with SS-BJP

NEW DELHI: The NCP’s move to align with the “communal” combine of BJP and Shiv Sena for the Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra and back industrialist Rahul Bajaj drew sharp reactions from the RJD and CPI(M), with Lalu Prasad asking Sharad Pawar to review the decision forthwith.

While Mr Prasad reminded the NCP that the UPA coalition at the Centre was formed to fight “communal forces” and its action went against that spirit, CPI(M) central leaders criticised the move with its Maharashtra unit dubbing it as “opportunistic”.

The RJD supremo said, “The formation of UPA was to keep RSS-BJP out of power. It was this reason that brought disparate political parties together. NCP joining hands with SS-BJP has sent a wrong message.

It is against the spirit of UPA coalition.” He said it was not just a question of who was backing whom, but NCP’s decision has raised the question of “credibility” of the UPA coalition.

“I will ask the NCP chief to review it” as he was opposed to the decision on principles, he said.
Describing the NCP move as “an opportunistic alliance”, CPI(M)’s Maharashtra secretary, Ashok Dhawale said, “Our party is committed to oppose this kind of opportunism”.

“It is unfortunate that the NCP should align with communal forces when they are part of the UPA coalition at the Centre which was formed on a secular basis,” he said. The issue figured at the meeting of the party’s state secretariat in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Avinash Pandey, who has been fielded by the Congress to take on Mr Bajaj, today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and expressed hope that the NCP would reconsider its decision and support him as he has become “a symbol of secular forces”.