NCP makes Konkan graduates biennial poll a prestige issue

Mumbai, May 4 (UNI) The NCP today asserted that it was firm on contesting the Maharashtra Legislative Council biennial elections from the Konkan graduates local bodies constituency, scheduled for May 26.

Talking to reporters here, party's State unit President Arun Gujarathi said the meeting between Congress and NCP on poll understanding for elections to six local bodies constituencies will take place on Sunday.

''We hope that a consensus decision will be taken during the meeting. In the last election from Konkan graduates constituency, the NCP had lost to the Shiv Sena by 106 votes.

If no positive decision is taken, ''we will have to take a different stand,'' he said.

Congress does not want to part with the seat as Revenue Minister Narayan Rane wants to consolidate his position by winning it.

With the entry of Mr Rane in the Congress, the party's strength had improved in the region.

Mr Gujarathi said Congress could contest Latur-Osmanabad and Parbhani-Hingoli local bodies constituencies currently held by it and also the Amravati seat which is held by the BJP.

Similarly, the NCP can contest Konkan graduates and also Nashik graduates and Wardha-Chandrapur-Gadchiroli currently held by it apart from Konkan graduates.

When asked about the public spat between Excise Minister Ganesh Naik and MLC Manda Mhatre at a public function in Navi Mumbai recently, Mr Gujarathi said the the party was yet to resolve differences between them.

UNI MR KD SHB RN1905