Deora for broad based alliance for polls in Maharashtra

The Congress and the NCP will hopefully announce a seat-sharing arrangement well ahead of next year's Maharashtra Assembly polls, Congress leader Milind Deora said and pitched for roping in more "like-minded" parties into the coalition to defeat the ruling BJP.

He said there is a "small section" in the Congress which feels even the Shiv Sena, a sulking ally of the BJP, could be considered for a poll tie-up, but "a vast majority of the party is convinced that that is not even an option".

In an interview to PTI, Deora described the NCP as an important partner for the Congress, both at the state level and the central level.

"I don't think there is any doubt within the Congress whether we should have an alliance with the NCP. In fact, I am hopeful that we would be able to announce seat-sharing details well in advance," the 41-year-old leader said.

The Assembly polls in Maharashtra are due towards the end of next year.

Praising Sharad Pawar, Deora said the NCP chief has "a wealth of knowledge" of Maharashtra politics and "a great deal of personal relations" with different parties that can work with the Congress at the central level.

"In Maharashtra in particular, we should look at other parties," the former Union minister said.

Refusing to name any party, Deora said, "There may be other parties....There are certainly other parties, like- minded parties, who we should look at roping in and involving them in the alliance who have credibility among the voters in Maharashtra and are concerned over the state of affairs in the country."
Asked whether a tie-up could be considered if the Shiv Sena or the Raj Thackeray-led MNS change themselves, Deora responded, "Even if they change colours, we will have to see are they genuine about it, are they doing it for political opportunism... As of now, I don't see any intention of these parties to transform."
"My view and my party's view is that simply saying you are against the BJP doesn't mean that a coalition can be formed, at least a formal coalition can be formed which is inclusive of parties which have had a history of having a divisive agenda."