Talks with Cong still underway for eight LS seats in Maha: NCP

NCP leader Ajit Pawar said Thursday that alliance talks with the Congress over eight of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra including Pune and Ahmednagar are yet to be concluded.

The Congress and NCP have decided to form an alliance of like-minded parties to take on the BJP in Maharashtra in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Asked at a press conference here about a reported statement of Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of Congress leader Radhkrishna Vikhe Patil, that he (Sujay) may contest the Lok Sabha election from Ahmednagar on some other party's ticket if the Congress does not nominate him, Pawar refused to comment.

"Since the talks between Congress and NCP are still going on, it is not right to comment. Eight seats are contentious, while understanding has been reached on the rest 40 seats," the senior NCP leader said.

The seats where the two parties are yet to reach agreement are Pune, Ahmednagar, Nandurbar, Raver, Yavatmal-Washim, Jalna, Aurangabad and Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, he said.

Raver and Ahmednagar were in the NCP quota while remaining seats were in the Congress quota, as per the previous alliance formula.

Pawar expressed confidence that the talks would conclude in an amicable manner.

Asked about speculation that NCP supremo and his uncle Sharad Pawar may contest the election from Pune, Ajit Pawar said, "Pawar saheb's domain is not limited to any particular constituency. If he wishes he can contest from any seat. The question is whether he is willing."
Commenting on Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Kapil Patil's open letter to him and to state Congress chief Ashok Chavan where he complained that the alliance of anti-BJP parties was declared without any discussion on common issues, Pawar said the letter was unwarranted.'
About his son Parth who is seeking ticket from Maval Lok Sabha seat, Pawar said, "Discussions are on regarding which seats NCP will contest. Candidates will be finalised later."