NCP holds talks with Congress over seat adjustment for civic polls

Mumbai, Oct 19 (UNI) Maharashtra Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today said it is holding talks with the Congress over seat-sharing adjustment in four districts - Raigad, Ratnagiri, Jalna and Beed - for the November 19 elections to 166 Municipal Councils and two Nagar Panchayats.

Addressing a news conference here today, party spokesman Madan Bafna said the state parliamentary board, which met here today, has reviewed the political scenario prevailing in the municipal councils going to polls next month from the district presidents.

Alliances will be at local level in mutual understanding.

''In a particular district, the number of municipal councils range from two to ten. We have to sit and work out the modalities of seat adjustments,'' he added.

He repudiated a report in some sections of the media that the party supremo and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had ever remarked that his party would go alone in the local bodies elections.

''Pawar Saheb, during his address to the state-level convention of the party at Nashik early this year, had called for the need of strengthening the party at the grassroots level and that we have to prepare to contest future elections on our own. But, at the same time ensure that there is no division of secular votes. Any alliance should be with self respect,'' Mr Bafna said.

''Our leaders are in the process of identifying the number of seats to be contested on party ticket as well as supporting local alliances. Similarly, selection of candidates will also be discussed,'' he added.

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