A split in the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance has triggered fresh round of troubles for the Nationalist Congress Party-Congress alliance. The NCP has announced withdrawal of support to the Prithviraj Chavan Government in Maharashtra. The party has announced that it will contest the October 15 Assembly elections on its own.
Despite warnings from NCP leaders, the Congress high command had been hoping that both the parties will finally reach a consensus on seat-sharing and the chief minister post. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had made his ambitions to become the chief minister public.
Though it was the NCP that announced the split, a section of the Congress has long been opposed to the alliance. “The Congress would have considered if (the NCP supremo) Sharad Pawar staked claim for the top post. We will not accept anyone else from the party for the post,” a senior leader said and added that the decision of the NCP to break away from the alliance will help the Congress. Some Congress members, including the Chief Minister, are receptive to a prominent view in the State that all parties should contest on their own in the elections.
The Congress believes that the NCP’s decision to break the alliance is aimed at more lucrative deals after the polls. There are indications that the NCP is ready for a post-poll bargain with the Shiv Sena and the BJP. It can look for a post-poll deal with the Congress too, if the grand old party manages to save its face in a four-cornered fight.
A section of the Congress believes that a split among the Hindutva forces will divide the anti-Government votes and thereby boost the Congress’ chances in the State.
They calculate that the Shiv Sena will now fight the BJP, the NCP and the Congress in the same manner. The party also sees that the Shiv Sena will have to hobnob either with the Congress or with the NCP in certain seats where BJP candidates are strong.
Another Congress leader said the deadlock over the “rotation” of the chief minister’s post is mere posturing of the NCP. “Everyone is looking for an apt opportunity. First, let us see the chances before both the parties for winning the elections. The discussions on chief minister can wait. There is no dearth of leaders in both the parties,” the leader said.
Candidates listThe Congress had released a list of 118 candidates on Wednesday. The last date for submission of nomination papers is Saturday and that for withdrawal of nomination is next Wednesday. The Congress, another source said, was ready to give at least 135 seats to the NCP. “They were demanding 144 seats. We are ready to give 130, plus or minus five seats to our ally. We were ready for a compromise,” the Congress leader added. He express hope that the alliance will continue. “We have time till Wednesday. By then, the discussions could be concluded,” he added.