Even though the NCP has begun a stock taking exercise of the 22 Lok Sabha seats it contested in 2009 and declared that its alliance with Congress would continue, party's leaders say that the state unit is yet to get any directive from the top leadership to that effect.
"We have no directives about alliance with NCP for Lok Sabha elections. A policy decision will be taken in the core group, Parliamentary board and then communicated to us," a senior Congress leader said.
Out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, Congress had contested 26 and won 17, while NCP had contested 22 and won eight.
Last week, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar held a meeting to review the party's position in the 22 seats it contested last time, and preparations to ensure it improved its tally.
However, state Congress leaders say that the meeting was Pawar's "bullying tactic" to pre-empt their demand for more seats.
NCP lost badly in majority of seats it contested in Shirur and Maval Lok Sabha seats in Pune, Kolhapur and Hatkanangale in Kolhapur districts, Ahmednagar, Dhule districts and in Vidarbha.
"They fared badly in most of the 14 Lok Sabha seats, which their candidates lost. Their claim on those seats cannot be sustained. Besides, Sadashiv Mandlik, Independent MP from Kolhapur has joined the Congress. So, the seat should go to the Congress. How can NCP lay its claim on the seat," Congress leaders said.
According to the leader, to increase the UPA tally in Maharashtra, some seats fought by the NCP have to come to the Congress. "Congress can lay claim on their seats rather than they seek ours," the leader said.
"Lok Sabha elections are still a year away. How can NCP decide on its own that it will contest 22 seats," he said, adding that the central leadership of the Congress has indicated to the state units that the UPA would complete its full term.
