The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) seems to be rather interested in joining the Congress in Gujarat, ahead of the assembly elections due in Dec 2017.
NCP led by Sharad Pawar has been holding discussions with the Congress for quite some time to form an alliance against the ruling BJP and pull them down from the throne. An NCP leader from Maharashtra revealed that both the parties are holding a discussion to join hands as they feel that BJP is losing its foothold in Gujarat and this will be the right time to hit the party and win the power.
“Talks have started with the Congress leaders a few days back as leaders from both the parties feel that the BJP is at its weakest now and if we mount a joint challenge it could be defeated,” said an NCP leader.
He further added that the Congress is well aware of the fact that even a difference of 3-4% votes may result in the change in power in Gujarat. He also said that as per the prevailing conditions the OBC, Patidars, Dalits and Muslims are likely to back Congress and if NCP also joins hands it will be a plus point for the party. Things will become clearer in the next few days, he said.
Significantly, the sudden friendly offer of the NCP is rather suspicious, as, during the Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections, it was the one crucial vote on an NCP member that voted against the Congress candidate, Ahmed Patel, which could have made him lose the seat.
The offers and assumptions of Congress agreeing to the alliance is made by the NCP, however, Congress has still not made any stand regarding this. Though there are talks that a senior Congress leader has completely ruled out any possibility of a tie-up with NCP.