Stalemate over seatsharing between Con-NCP in BMC polls continue

Mumbai, Jan 8 (UNI) Stalemate continues over the sharing of seats between the Congress and NCP, the alliance partners in the Democratic Front (DF) government in Maharashtra, for the ensuing prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation(BMC) elections slated for February one.

The chances of alliance between Congress and NCP seemed to be fading today with both the parties remaining firm on their claim on number of seats in the BMC.

The Congress has offered 60 seats to its coalition partner NCP which, however, staked its claim on 75 seats.

Talking to reporters here, AICC general secretary and Maharashtra incharge Margaret Alva said,''we have offered 60 seats which is five times more than the present strength of NCP in BMC''.

She said that in order to discuss the alliance, another meeting of NCP and Congress leaders will be held tomorrow which will be attended by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel, PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal from NCP side while Mumbai Regional Congress Committee President Gurudas Kamat and herself from the Congress side.

On the other hand, NCP general secretary Gurunath Kulkarni, MLC told UNI that the party has made its offer clear by staking claim on 75 seats and they are firm on the same.

When asked about Mr Kamat's demand of dropping RPI minister Pritamkumar Shegaonkar, who became the minister from NCP quota since his party has formed third front in the elections; Mr Kulkanri said Mr Kamat has no right to make any demand about the minister whose party is in alliance with NCP.

When his attention was drawn towards another round of meeting to be held tomorrow, Mr Kulkarni replied 'its good but we have already started our preparations'.

UNI