Congress not averse to alliance with MNS: Prabha Rau

Mumbai, Jan 5 (UNI) Maharashtra Congress president Prabha Rau today said her party was not averse to forging an alliance with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for the forthcoming civic elections if the latter disassociates itself from communal and divisive politics of Shiv Sena-BJP.

Talking to reporters here, Ms Rau, however, said Congress has not approached MNS for an alliance as yet. ''So far, there has been no need for this. But, if the situation demands in future, we would welcome MNS in the fold of secular parties,'' she added.

Speaking about alliances for the Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for February one, Ms Rau said local leaders in Amravati, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur and Pune have conveyed to the state leadership they do not want an alliance with the NCP and were ready to contest the Corporation polls on their own.

In Nagpur, seat adjustments talks failed while in Akola, Congress will align with secular parties other than NCP. In Ulhasnagar and Nashik, Congress was in talks with local fronts while discussions were on in Thane and Mumbai with NCP, she added.

To a question on the statement of former Legislative Assembly Speaker Madhukarrao Chaudhary that NCP should merge with the Congress as the issue of foreign origin of Sonia Gandhi ceased to exist, Ms Rau said she had no comments to make as the question should be answered by those who have to take a decision.

UNI