RS Poll: Cong, NCP in collision course again
The two alliance partners, the Congress and the NCP seem to be heading for yet another showdown.
By TNN |
MUMBAI: The two alliance partners, the Congress and the NCP seem to be heading for yet another showdown.
As the Sharad Pawar-led NCP prepares to field, Supriya Sule — the Maratha strongman’s daughter — for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha by-election, its partner in the power, the Congress is reportedly planning to scuttle her chances.
For the Congress, Ms Sule’s election to the Rajya Sabha would be yet another snub after it lost to Rahul Bajaj last month. Mr Bajaj, the last minute candidate fielded by Sharad Pawar, outfoxed the Congress’s rookie Avinash Pande.
Having accused Mr Pawar of betrayal, the Congress was looking for an opportunity to settle the score with the NCP. The death of NCP MP Vasant Chavan seems to have offered it a chance. According to an unwritten understanding between the two partners, the party whose seat goes vacant has the right to retain the same. This means, the seat fallen vacant by Mr Chavan’s demise would go to the NCP.
The Congress, however, is eyeing this seat. Though the NCP is yet to formally announce Ms Sule’s candidature, the Congress has geared up its machinery to grab the seat. “Last time we were caught unawares. This time we don’t want to miss the bus,” a state Congress committee member said.
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The Congress claims that it is now the NCP’s turn to sacrifice a seat for a senior alliance partner. But the NCP is in no mood for charities. “The deceased MP was a NCP leader. So where is a question of some other party staking its claim,” said a party spokesperson.Download
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