‘Sena must exit NDA to get NCP, Cong’s support’

In order to get support for formation of the next government in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday said that the Shiv Sena would have to break away from the BJP-led NDA before thinking of support from NCP.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that the Sena should decide and make an announcement that they are breaking ties. “Unless it leaves the NDA, we will wait and watch the developments. The Sena needs to ask its minister to resign from the Union government. Besides this, we have not received any proposal from the Sena,” said Mr Malik.

He further added, “Before extending support, the Sena-led government should decide on the core areas of work and functioning (in Maharashtra).” The NCP said that it would also take Congress in confidence

The NCP will be organising a meeting of newlyelected legislators on Tuesday to discuss the issues. A final call verdict would be given after the

Unless it leaves the NDA, we will wait and watch the developments. The Sena needs to ask its minister to resign from the Union government. — Nawab Malik,

meeting on whether the NCP would extend support to Sena or not, the NCP leader added.

Mr Malik further said that his party does not have numbers and mandate to form the next government. Therefore, they would not stake a claim on it.

“We are ready to sit in the Opposition, if the Sena and BJP comes up with any formula to form the government,” he added.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday met the party’s newly elected MLAs from Maharashtra, who are staying at a resort in Jaipur, to discuss the political situation in the state while NCP chief Sharad Pawar met some of his party leaders in Mumbai.

NCP spokesperson