Majid Memon hails Sharad Pawar as tallest leader in Maharashtra

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majid Memon said here on Sunday that even his party's opponents would not hesitate to agree that NCP chief Sharad Pawar is the tallest leader in Maharashtra.

"NCP is probably the only political party in Maharashtra which has base spread over both in rural and urban areas, and undoubtedly even our opponents would not hesitate to agree that Sharad Pawar is the tallest leader in Maharshtra. The leaders of BJP from Maharashtra, Shiv Sena or Congress are all dwarfs before him, they are like pigmies, no comparison with Sharad Pawar, and therefore with his stature, wisdom, experience, following and grass root hold, I don't think anybody can reach him, said Memon.

Expressing hope that the NCP would emerge as number one party after October 19, Memon added that the party's cadre will hopefully be satisfied today because they will get an opportunity to test their own strength in their respective areas.

However, about the chances of post poll alliance with any other party in Maharashtra, Memon said that if they don't have the numbers then they would ally with a party which matches their ideology.

"If we are not in a position to get more than 144 seats then we will have to look for somebody with whom we can match with our ideological differences and agreements, we would try to form the government as far as possible with those who are near our ideology," said Memon.

Earlier on Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan submitted his resignation to Governor C.V. Rao, after his Congress Party snapped ties with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Chavan served as the Maharashtra Chief Minister for a little less than four years.

The alliance broke over the two estranged allies not being on the same page as far as allocation of seats in the state was concerned ahead of assembly polls.

Post his resignation, the Union Cabinet yesterday, gave its nod for imposition of President's rule in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra will now go to polls on October 15 with all the major four parties contesting alone. There are 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra.