Cong deplores Sharad Pawar's stand

New Delhi, June 7 (UNI) The Congress today deplored the stand its ally Nationalist Congress Party(NCP)in backing industrialist and Independent candidate Rahul Bajaj in Rajya Sabha election from Maharashtra against the Congress candidate.

"As a UPA ally NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is supposed to strengthen the secular forces and support the Congress candidate," Congress Spokesman Rajiv Shukla said.

He told reporters here that tomorrow was the last date for withdrawal of nominations. The two parties could sit together and discuss the issue.

Replying to a question, Mr Shukla said the differences that have cropped up between the Congress and the NCP over the candidature for Rajya Sabha election would not affect the Congress-NCP coalilition government in Maharashtra.

Asked about RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's reaction to Mr Pawar's stand, Mr Shukla said Mr Prasad has expressed his feelings on the matter.

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