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UPA should contest as one entity: NCP

Anita Joshua

It should decide on seats realistically and as per each State’s dynamics

NCP would like to be senior partner in Maharashtra
Manmohan will be prime ministerial candidate

NEW DELHI: The Nationalist Congress Party on Monday said the United Progressive Alliance should contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election as one entity and announce its intent to do so at the earliest. Briefing journalists here, NCP general secretary D. P. Tripathi said the UPA should decide on seats realistically and as per the dynamics of each State.

As far as the NCP is concerned, it would like to be the senior partner in Maharashtra. While it has sought 26 seats in Maharashtra, the NCP would like to contest 15 seats elsewhere.

“We have a considerable presence in Gujarat, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Bihar, Goa and Kerala.”

About the NCP’s claim to being the senior partner in Maharashtra, Mr. Tripathi sought to point out that this was the objective reality in the State.

To a question on who would be the UPA’s prime ministerial candidate, the NCP leader was quick to state Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s name. “Dr. Singh is the Prime Minister and the UPA will go into the next election under his leadership.”

Asked whether the NCP planned to join the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala, Mr. Tripathi said: “The UDF should invite us, then we will consider.” He also went on to add that the Left Democratic Front was no longer an option for the NCP. The NCP was part of the LDF till over a year ago.

To a question on Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh’s charge that the Congress was poaching on its leaders, Mr. Tripathi said: “At times, the Congress does indulge in inimical political behaviour with its allies. But we appeal to the Samajwadi Party to continue supporting the UPA.”

About Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s plans to contest the Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Tripathi described him as one of the tallest leaders of the country. Since he has left the Bharatiya Janata Party, the NCP is of the view that the political leadership of the country should welcome his candidature if he wants to contest.

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