EDGE-OF-THE-SEAT DRAMA
The Congress and NCP are on the verge of sealing a deal over disputed seats and with the smaller allies in next few days, possibly before their joint rally in Nanded on February 20 The parties are disputing over Ahmednagar and Aurangabad seats. The Congress is demanding Ahmednagar for Dr Sujay, son of leader of opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-patil, while NCP has been demanding two seats in exchange for Aurangabad
NCP leader Ajit Pawar said, “In our parliamentary committee meeting, we decided to hold discussions with the MNS to take it along. We will talk to Congress.”
The NCP is expected to concede Kalyan seat to the MNS, which has also been vying Mumbai North-east, Nashik and Thane seats.
Patel said the decision on disputed seats between two parties will be taken by Kharge and him. “Our list of candidates has been finalised, but we will not announce it unless we are done with the discussion with smaller parties. We are sure about winning at least 35 seats in the state,” he said. “We are keen on finalising the seat-sharing before our joint meeting in Nanded,” said Congress leader Manikrao Thakre.
The joint rally at Nanded will be followed by a rally at Beed and will be joined by chief ministers of newly formed Congress governments in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. “It is not clear if Rahul Gandhi is attending the Nanded rally, but he is likely to address a public rally in Maharashtra before the announcement of code of conduct,” another Congress leader said. Although leaders from both the parties are trying hard to get Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh chief Prakash Ambedkar on board, the latter is reportedly not keen on joining the alliance. His Vanchit Bahujan Agghadi has been offered four seats Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, led by Hitendra Thakur, too, is not responding to the attempts by the Congress and NCP
Raju Shetti’s Swabhimani Paksha may be offered Buldhana, besides Hatkanangale, according to NCP sources.