Cong-NCP seat sharing meet today

The NCP has extended by 24 hours the deadline set for the Congress to make its position clear on electoral seat sharing for the 227-member Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation (GMMC).

The NCP agreed to attend the talks with the ally on Tuesday evening.

The talks will be convened by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan at his official residence.

The Congress had indicated that it may offer 55 seats against the 65 sought by the NCP. Earlier, it was not willing to offer more than 34 seats.

Chavan, who discussed the issue with the party high command in Delhi and returned to the city, held a telephonic conversation with NCP state chief Madhukar Pichad conveying his party’s desire to strike a deal for the elections to the GMMC.

Pichad told Business Standard: “Both the parties will now meet at 7 pm on Tuesday to take a final call on electoral alliance. We are keen for an alliance in a bid to dislodge the Shiv Sena-BJP combine from power in the GMCC.”

He made it clear that no more extension would be granted to the Congress if it fails to make its stand clear. The NCP was prepared to go solo, he added.

Elections for the GMMC are scheduled on February 16. The annual budget of the GMCC is Rs 23,000 crore.

The Congress is facing opposition from within as party MP Gurudas Kamat and some legislators have openly voiced their opposition. Kamat had warned that in the event of an alliance, the Congress may witness large-scale rebellion.

Manikrao Thakre, who heads the Congress in Maharashtra, said: “We respect Pawar sahab, but he should also understand his party’s strength before saying such things. Those who do not want an alliance can go their separate ways.”