Pawar rules out consensus between UPA, NDA over candidature

Panaji, May 30 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister and NCP President Sharad Pawar has ruled out consensus between the ruling UPA and the NDA over elections to the post of President and Vice-President, scheduled in July.

Mr Pawar told newspersons today that the UPA will contest both the posts.

''Being a major party in the UPA coalition, the Congress has to announce the candidate for the President's post who will be backed by all UPA allies. Non-UPA and non-NDA parties have also expressed willingness to support a UPA candidate,'' he said.

When asked whether the NCP would stake claim to the Chief Minister's post in Goa if the Congress-NCP alliance got the majority, Mr Pawar said his party was contesting only six seats. In coalition politics, the normal practice is that the party with the maximum MLAs will get the CM's post. An exception to this was Maharashtra in 2004, he said.

Replying to questions, Mr Pawar said the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre was stable and would complete its full term. UP Chief Minister Mayawati has also extended her support to the UPA, he said.

Mr Pawar, who is here to campaign for his party candidates for the June 2 Assembly elections, said an international tourist destination like Goa requires political stability and communal harmony.

Citing yesterday's violence in Rajasthan, Mr Pawar said 30 per cent of tourist reservations in Rajasthan had to be cancelled which sent a wrong signal and this affects the local population and ecomomy.

''We do not want such a situation in Goa,'' he said adding that the NCP has decided to contest only six seats despite its demand for more seats from local leaders to avoid a split in secular votes.

''Positive feedback has been received in the Congress-NCP campaign so far as well as the Congress-NCP alliance in the State,'' he said.

He added that the NCP has given substantial importance to the protection of the States environment.

UNI