Civic polls: Cong, NCP don't see eye to eye

Even though the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) swear that the BJP-Shiv Sena combine is their Enemy No 1, the ruling partners never miss a chance to target each other.

While launching the Congress' campaign for polls to 10 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, pointing at the NCP's election symbol of clock and the party's current strength in the BMC said, "They can't go beyond 10."

At another rally, party's General Secretary in charge of the state, Margaret Alva, accused Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar of neglecting the plight of Vidarbha farmers.

Though Pawar has so far not replied to Congress' criticism, NCP's ministers in the state are mincing no words. Replying to criticism by Deshmukh, state Finance Minister Jayant Patil said, "We have enough strength to destroy those who are day-dreaming of restricting us at 10."

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil said, "When BMC's elections result will come out, more than any one else, it will be the Congress who will be surprised the most."