Cong-NCP seat adjustment to take shape in 2 days:Kamat

Mumbai, Dec 29 (UNI) Taking a hard stand on seat adjustments with the NCP for the upcoming civic polls, Mumbai Congress president Gurudas Kamat today said his party would agree for an alliance in the city only if its strength and popularity among the people was acknowledged.

Addressing party workers after a meeting with senior leaders, MPs, MLAs and office-bearers, Mr Kamat said the Congress was in favour of an alliance with like-minded parties to defeat communal forces which had done little for the betterment of Mumbai during its more than a decade-old rule in the civic body.

The Congress had proved its strength in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections of 2004 and in the subsequent by-elections to the Legislative assembly in the past one year, Mr Kamat said. Without naming the NCP, he said those who wishered to align with the Congress should also realise what is their strength in the city.

Mr Kamat informed that the screenings and shortlisting of candidates would begin at the district level from January 2 till 4. Unanimous recommendations will be passed immediately without interference, he assured.

He hoped that the talks with NCP over seat adjustments which are at the formative stage was likely to take shape in two days.

Meanwhile, Petroleum minister Murli Deora, Mumbai North West MP in the Lok Sabha Priya Dutt, Mumbai South MP Milind Deora and Rajya Sabha member from the state Rajiv Shukla, who spoke on the occasion, said they were authorising Mr Kamat to take any decision regarding an alliance with the NCP. ''Whether alliance or not, Congress should be prepared to contest and win the polls,''Priya Dutt said.

Milind Deora stressed in the need of the hour for the party to be united. ''The Centre and state government is working in co-ordination for Mumbai's upgradation and improvement of basic amenities. If we win the civic polls, the efforts to change the face of Mumbai will be expedited,''he added.

Mr Shukla said Congress needs to win the elections at any cost and the leaders and officebearers of the city unit have authorised Kamat to take decisions regarding poll strategy.

Meanwhile, Congress sources said the NCP has forwarded a list of 77 wards it wants to contest. Congress is unwilling to concede so many seats. So far, about three rounds of talks have taken place between the Congress and the NCP. Another round is scheduled to be held tonight.

The Process of filing of nominations begins on January 8 for the Febuary 1 polls to the 227 member Asia's richest civic body.

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