 "Congress perturbed by NCP's proximity to Modi government")
Congress insiders cite NCP’s recent moves in which the latter supported the National Democratic Alliance government on various issues — ranging from the passage of the Bill to appoint Nripendra Mishra as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s principal secretary, the Bill to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) in insurance to 49 per cent and the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill.
This is despite NCP being a key member of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
NCP showered praise on Modi for his visit to Nepal terming it a successful one. NCP Member of Parliament D P Tripathi said the ‘neighbours first’ approach taken by the Indian government was correct.
This apart, what has further hurt the Congress is NCP’s Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare’s decision to file nomination papers for the bypoll to the state council election. This, the Congress leaders said, despite the high commands of the two parties deciding to jointly fight the Assembly polls in Maharashtra.
Congress had staked its claim citing that during the last council polls its nominee was defeated. Congress also claimed it has sufficient numbers for the victory of its nominee. Congress, however, fears NCP may mobilise support from independent legislators and the Opposition BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, which has not put up its nominee.
A senior Congress minister, who did not want to be named, told Business Standard, “The NCP has indulged in armtwisting tactics, in which it has achieved expertise over the years.”
He noted it is ironical that NCP, which has been an ally of the Congress and key member of the UPA for over a decade, is now critisising the Congress for not following the coalition dharma.
“In fact, NCP needs to clarify its stand in this regard,” the minister said.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Sachin Sawant downplayed NCP’s moves.
“We don’t doubt the secular credentials of NCP President Sharad Pawar,” he said.
NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said his party has serious ideological differences with the BJP, and there is no question of reaching an understanding with it.
“It is the Congress and the BJP that are changing their respective stands on various issues. When the Congress was heading the UPA government and moved the Bill to hike foreign direct investment in insurance to 49 per cent, it was opposed by the BJP. Now, it is the Congress’ turn to oppose it. Nationalist Congress Party had supported the Bill then and is extending its support to it now,” Malik said.
On the appointment of Mishra as Modi’s principal secretary by amending the TRAI Act, Malik said the amendment was not for paving way for the retired TRAI chairman to join the private sector but it was to rejoin the government.
Malik also justified the filing of nomination by Tatkare for state council bypoll. He said the issue would be discussed at the coordination committee meeting.