Congress hopes NCP would not join hands with communal forces

New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) The Congress today said it was hopeful that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) directly or indirectly would not support the candidate fielded by the BJP and Shiv Sena for the Rajya Sabha seat from Maharashtra.

''We would not like the NCP to take a decision which appears to be in tandem with the BJP and Shiv Sena which we consider as communal outfits,'' AICC spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons, reacting to reports that the NCP would back industrialist Rahul Bajaj, who is fielded as independent by the BJP-Shiv Sena.

The NCP is a partner in the Congress-led governments in Maharashtra and at the Centre.

Referring to the reported NCP stand, Dr Singhvi said: ''It is the unfortunate misunderstanding and communication gap at the local level that created such a situation.'' Replying to a question, he said the development would not have any impact on the stability and efficiency of the Congress-led governments in Maharashtra and at the Centre.

He said certain disagreement had come during the recent election to the Legislative Council in Maharashtra.

''The misunderstanding has historical past. Misunderstandings if discussed again and again will tend to increase further." Dr Singhvi said discussions were held with the NCP in the context of the development. However, more discussions would also be held in a bid to resolve the crisis.

Asked if Congress Candidate Avinash Pande would be withdrawn ultimately, he said, ''let us not speak at speculative theories.'' On the allegation of the Samajwadi Party (SP) General Secretary Amar Singh that the Congress was masterminding sting operation against party leaders, Dr Singhvi said: ''We assure him that we have better things to do and more momentous acts of public interests and not to indulge in such kind of oneupmanship.'' ''In today's context in Uttar Pradesh, SP sees a conspiracy in nook and corner and has a hidden agenda,'' he said, adding that the allegation of Mr Amar Singh reflected the SP's ''fear of an impending doom that stares at its face in the coming assembly elections''.

UNI SH MA PM2055