Cong-NCP alliance for civic elections yet to be decided: Chavan

Thane, Dec 24 (UNI) Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan today said that the Congress and the NCP had not yet arrived at a decision on whether to contest the forthcoming civic elections in Mumbai and elsewhere in the state jointly.

Speaking to reporters after addressing a rally here, he said it would be fr the party high command to endorse the decision of the Congress at the local levels on forging ties with the NCP during the civic elections.

Besides, the decision on forging an alliance with the NCP will be considered individually for each municipal corporation going to the polls based upon the local situation. Hence, the decision to tie up with the Congress in Mumbai may not be be binding in Thane, ''he noted.

Mr Chavan said that the Congress observers who have now been despatched to various districts, have not been entrusted the responsibility of screening candidates for the elections. For this purpose, a new batch of observers will be deputed, and the final decision on the selection of the candidates will rest with the party Parliamentary Board.

He said that the congress was keen on improving its image in Thane as the district, which sends 24 members to the State Assembly, is sure to play an important role in state politics. However, at present, there are no Congress representatives to the asembly from Thane.

Incidentally, Thane Guardian Minister and NCP leader Ganesh Naik had, a few days back, demanded that his party should get to contest the major chunk of the Thane Municipal Corporation seats in case of an alliance with the Congress since the NCP had five legislators from the district.

UNI XR MAZ VD VC1722