NCP flays ally Congress over meeting with PM on drought

Talking to reporters here, NCP spokesman Madan Bafna said it would have been better if Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi had joined the delegation which called on the Prime Minister today in Delhi.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and MPCC president Manikrao Thakre met Singh in Delhi along with Rahul, who toured some drought-hit areas early this month, to discuss drought relief measures.

Bafna wondered what Chavan had achieved by meeting Prime Minister twice on the same issue.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde also criticised the Congress for meeting the Prime Minister ahead of the all-party delegation.

"Both Congress and NCP are trying to claim credit (for Central assistance)," he maintained.

The Congress and NCP are part of the ruling alliances in Maharashtra and also at the Centre.