Tariq Anwar rules out merger with Congress

Chandigarh, Dec 16: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, will maintain its independent identity and would not merge with the Congress.

''The NCP will continue as a separate party and there is no question of merging hands with the Congress,'' NCP national general secretary and MP Tariq Anwar said today.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Anwar said the NCP was an ally of the UPA and would continue with its alliance with the Congress.'' An alliance and merger are two different aspects,'' he pointed out.

Mr Anwar who was here to campaign for his party candidate in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation polls, said the status of Chandigarh should be changed from a Union Territory to that of a state. Change of status would definitely help in the progress and development of the city, he added.

UNI