Mah Cong asks NCP to reconsider support to Rahul Bajaj

Mumbai, June 6 (UNI) Caught on the backfoot with the opposition and its ally NCP joining hands to defeat its nominee in the Rajya Sabha by-election, Maharashtra Congress today asked the NCP to reconsider its support to industrialist Rahul Bajaj.

Addressing mediapersons, party spokesman Sanjay Nirupam said Congress has high respect for Mr Bajaj and NCP fielded him without consulting them.

''His stand on reservations is known. Will NCP leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal who espouse the cause of the poor and downtrodden support him. Will the NCP support a candidate who is also backed by saffron parties like Sena and BJP?'' he asked.

Mr Nirupam said the NCP had given its word to the Congress that it will support latter's nominee and now it has gone back.

However, the Congress spokesman maintained that the present stand off between the two allies in the ruling coalition was a temporary phase and there was no threat to the government and future of the coalition.

When contacted, NCP state unit president Arun Gujarathi said there was no question of reconsidering support to Mr Bajaj.

''We had not given any assurance to Congress on supporting its candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election. Mr Bajaj's views on reservations pertain to proposed quota in private sector jobs. He comes from the family of Congress ideology and the support of Shiv Sena and BJP to his candidature is irrelevant,'' he added.

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