Congress in talks with Raj Thackeray's MNS

Pune, Feb 13 (UNI) The city unit of Congress today said it was in talks with the Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and some independents to forge an alliance in the 144-member Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Talking to reporters here, city MP and Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi claimed ''We have the support of eight independents, taking our tally to 44 seats in the PMC.'' He said ''We will be talking to Congress high command regarding a decision on tie-up at the local level with MNS.'' He, however, said his party was still inclined to sit in the opposition.

To a query as to who will claim the Mayoral post, Kalamdi said it was too early to say anything. ''There are 15 days for the new body to be constituted in the PMC.'' In the recent elections to the local body, the NCP got 41 seats, Congress 36, BJP-Sena 45, MNS 8 and independents 14.

UNI