NCP accuses Congress of 'irresponsible behaviour'

Mumbai, Jan 27 (UNI) Four days ahead of the high profile Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today accused its coalition partner Congress of 'irresponsible behaviour' while dealing with friendly parties.

Addressing a press conference here, NCP general secretary D P Tripathi alleged that Mumbai Congress chief Gurudas Kamat had attacked Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil in a television show last night, saying Mr Patil's resignation was demanded in the Congress-NCP co-ordination committee after the Khairlanji massacre in September last year.

''Mr Kamat said Patil cannot address public meetings in Mumbai. Such comments are unbelievably irresponsible. Mr Patil is the most popular leader in Maharashtra and has addressed 30 meetings in Mumbai so far,'' Mr Tripathi added.

Mr Tripathi also rubbished Kamat's claim that Mr Patil's resignation was demanded in the co-ordination committee meeting.

The NCP leader said Congress was on the path of self-destruction and urged the party's central leadership to direct the local leaders to refrain from making such comments.

Criticising AICC general secretary Margaret Alva for commenting that Sharad Pawar had got a union ministerial berth because of Sonia Gandhi, Mr Tripathi said the NCP president had become a minister not because of anybody's favour but on his own merit.

''In fact, Sonia Gandhi should be grateful to NCP for lending support to the Congress and enabling it to lead the UPA at the Centre,'' he said.

Referring to Ms Alva's comments that Sharad Pawar has praised Sonia Gandhi and hence he should come back to the Congress, Mr Tripathi said, ''Does Ms Alva want us to criticise Sonia Gandhi? Mr Pawar always praises people who do good work. As regards the issue of merger with the Congress, NCP is set to emerge and not merge with any other party.'' Responding to a question about NCP's position regarding Uttar Pradesh elections scheduled this year, Mr Tripathi said NCP has joined the Jan Morcha Front and also wanted Congress and Ajit Singh to join it.

When asked about actress-MP Hema Malini's reported comment that North Indians who do not feel they are getting their due in Mumbai should go back to their native place, Mr Tripathi said the comments were 'unconstitutional'.

UNI