After Congress, NCP tilts in favour of Sena for mayor

The BJP may have rattled the Shiv Sena thanks to a nail-biting finish in the BMC polls, but it seems the latter is garnering more support in its fight for the mayoral post.

Days after Congress state unit chief Ashok Chavan hinted the party may consider supporting the Sena if it opts out of the state government, NCP chief Sharad Pawar clarified his party would not support the BJP to win power in the BMC. He also hinted at extending support to the Sena and said the decision will be taken in the party’s core committee meeting next week. The NCP has nine corporators in BMC.

The comment assumes significance as it came after he shared the dais with Chavan during a programme on Sunday. Pawar also announced his party will join hands to establish power in 18 of the 25 district councils that went to polls last week. “The NCP is in favour of a smoothfunctioning Mumbai civic body and the decision on extending support will be taken by local leaders,” Pawar said in Nanded

The Congress and the NCP ar likely to toe the same line on whether to support the Sena actively or by abstaining from voting in the mayoral elections The Congress, with 31 corpora tors, may also think of contesting the mayoral election and may also get support from the NCP.