 "NCP offers outside support to BJP")
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday announced that it was prepared to support the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra, the first political party to take a stated position on the vexing issue of government formation. The NCP argued that its support was for a stable government. The unsolicited declaration of support came from NCP leader and former union minister Praful Patel even though Union minister Prakash Javadekar earlier in the day ruled out tying up with the NCP. The BJP has also said it would explore various options, including joining hands with former ally Shiv Sena to form the government.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not BJP, which is short of reaching the magic figure of 145 seats needed for a simple majorty, accepts NCP's offer. The BJP’s position on former ally Shiv Sena is also unclear; the BJP’s Parliamentary Board, the highest decision making body in the party, is scheduled to meet shortly to discuss this issue.
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The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is the BJP’s ideological parent, as well as veteran party leader L K Advani have suggested that both should come together to form the government in the larger interest of the state.
The NCP’s hand may have also been forced by ongoing investigations into the multi crore irrigation scam, fodder scam, alleged irregularities in the power sector and disproportionate assets of its former ministers and leaders, and fears that the BJP would aggressively go after these.
Already, a file pertaining to initiating inquiry by the state Anti Corruption Bureau against former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and former water resources minister Sunil Tatkare is pending for clearance with the state chief secretary. Pawar has been accused of siphoning Rs 70,000 crore meant for irrigation schemes that never saw the light of the day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and state party leaders had led a scathing attack against NCP during the campaign for encouraging corruption during 15 year rule. They had promised during poll campaign that inquiries would be constituted against NCP leaders and that they would be booked.
Patel's announcement comes on the heels of repeated denial by party MP Tariq Anwar and spokesman Nawab Malik that NCP would not support BJP in the formation of government at the cost of its secular credentials.
Patel, however, said the party had explored all options for government formation and concluded that in the interest of Maharashtra, only the BJP. Since the BJP is also in power at the Centre,
the NCP leader said in justification.
NCP sources told Business Standard '' It will up to BJP to consider NCP's offer. However, the party is of the view that BJP can provide a stable government which is quite essential to further spur the growth.''
NCP had severed its alliance with Congress party due to differences over the seat sharing and thereafter both fought assembly poll independently. Congress party and its former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had attacked NCP for striking a secret deal with BJP ahead of poll.
As per the latest trends, the NCP will manage to win around 42 seats only way short of the majority of 145 seats.