Nationalist Congress Party says its 'national party' status will remain intact

MUMBAI: NCP today denied the reports that it is in danger of losing its national party status following its poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

Party spokesperson Nawab Malik said the Election Commission of India had sent it a show-cause notice seeking explanation as to why its national party status should not be withdrawn.

"We have replied to the notice and our stand will be further explained if we are given a hearing. There is no change in the party's recognition with the ECI," Malik said.

He said NCP has MPs in Maharashtra, Bihar and Lakshadweep; MLAs in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland. "The issue started because all three of our MLAs in Nagaland defected. We have challenged the defection with the Speaker," he said.

The Election Commission had about two weeks ago served show-cause notices to NCP and two other parties seeking explanation on why their national party status should not be withdrawn in the wake of the Lok Sabha elections.

A national party needs to get at least 6 per cent votes each from minimum of four states, or 2 per cent of total seats in the Lok Sabha from at least three states, or it should be recognised as a state party in at least four states.