NCP to abstain during Maharashtra confidence vote

The Nationalist Congress Party Monday said it would abstain from voting if the proposed Bharatiya Janata Party government seeks vote of confidence in the legislature.

"In the interest of stability in the state, the NCP will abstain from voting if it is called for. In case the Shiv Sena joins the coalition, there should not be any problems. However, we will not vote against the minority government and create instability in the state," NCP state spokesperson Nawab Malik told media persons.

Earlier, in a media interview NCP President Sharad Pawar made it clear that in case a situation warrants a vote to establish majority in the assembly, his party would keep off the vote.

Pawar cautioned that in the present political situation if the NCP votes against (BJP) the state could face elections within next six months.

Malik added that since it is the peoples' mandate for the BJP making it the single largest party, the NCP would honour it though it will not be a part of the government.

Within hours of counting of votes Oct 19, the NCP offered "unconditional, external support" to the BJP to enable it to form the state government after a fractured verdict in the assembly polls.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, O.P. Mathur and J.P. Nadda will oversee the election of leader of the new BJP Legislature Party here Tuesday.

The new chief minister of the first-ever BJP government in Maharashtra is likely to be sworn in Oct 31, in a mega-public ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.

Over 30,000 people, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, union ministers, several chief ministers, central party leaders and other VIPs and guests are expected to witness the oath-taking function.