Grand alliance of regional parties taking shape: NCP

LUCKNOW: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has said that a grand alliance of regional parties as a credible political alternative to the BJP was beginning to take shape at the national level.

Talking to media persons, senior NCP leader and spokesman DP Tripathi said efforts were on to give shape to this non-BJP front. “Modalities are being worked out but issues like seat-sharing and choosing a leader would be decided later,” he said. The NCP leader welcomed the new-found bonhomie and political understanding between the BSP and the SP in UP.

“I am sure this arrangement would emerge as a potent political alternative in the state,” he said and added that a similar realignment of other regional parties was also on the anvil.

“We will soon have a political alternative at the national level to counter the BJP government at the Centre in the coming Lok Sabha polls in 2019,” he said adding, the credibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking a beating on a daily basis and people were now beginning to look at regional political parties as a more reliable option. On leadership and seat sharing formula in the grand alliance, Tripathi said, “We would cross that bridge when we come to it. These are secondary issues, the

need of the hour is to have a strong united opposition.”

Similarly, he said the leadership question should be best left to the people and would be settled after the results of Lok Sabha polls were announced. The NCP leader also demanded a fresh look at the manner in which parliamentary business was being conducted. “I feel that new rules should be framed to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament. During my 6- year tenure in the Rajya Sabha, at least 48 per cent of time was wasted due to disruptions,” he said.