NCP leader Ajit Pawar said Thursday that alliance talks with the Congress over eight of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra including Pune and Ahmednagar are yet to be concluded.
The Congress and NCP have decided to form an alliance of like-minded parties to take on the BJP in Maharashtra in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
Asked at a press conference here about a reported statement of Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of Congress leader Radhkrishna Vikhe Patil, that he (Sujay) may contest the Lok Sabha election from Ahmednagar on some other party's ticket if the Congress does not nominate him, Pawar refused to comment.
"Since the talks between Congress and NCP are still going on, it is not right to comment. Eight seats are contentious, while understanding has been reached on the rest 40 seats," the senior NCP leader said.
The seats where the two parties are yet to reach agreement are Pune, Ahmednagar, Nandurbar, Raver, Yavatmal-Washim, Jalna, Aurangabad and Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, he said.
Raver and Ahmednagar were in the NCP quota while remaining seats were in the Congress quota, as per the previous alliance formula.
Pawar expressed confidence that the talks would conclude in an amicable manner.
Asked about speculation that NCP supremo and his uncle Sharad Pawar may contest the election from Pune, Ajit Pawar said, "Pawar saheb's domain is not limited to any particular constituency. If he wishes he can contest from any seat. The question is whether he is willing."
He lashed out at the ruling BJP for trying to divert people's attention from pressing issues.
"Farmers are in trouble as milk and farm produce are not getting good price. Despite promises, the government has not been able to give a good price to farmers. Those who want to protest when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is touring are detained by police," Pawar said.
Commenting on Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Kapil Patil's open letter to him and to state Congress chief Ashok Chavan where he complained that the alliance of anti-BJP parties was declared without any discussion on common issues, Pawar said the letter was unwarranted.'
"When one has joined hands with like-minded parties for a common cause of taking on the Shiv Sena-BJP, some flexibility is needed. One may not agree 100 per cent with all that is decided. I called him and said when discussions are in progress, what is the need to write open letter," Pawar said.
About his son Parth who is seeking ticket from Maval Lok Sabha seat, Pawar said, "Discussions are on regarding which seats NCP will contest. Candidates will be finalised later."
When asked if the Shiv Sena will take advantage of coming biopic on Bal Thackeray ahead of elections, Pawar said the film has been produced by a Sena MP (Sanjay Raut). "Surely there is a political motive," he added.
Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil who was present at the press conference said the party will embark on a month- long 'Parivartan Yatra' campaign from January 10 to "highlight the failures of the Central and state governments led by the BJP".
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