Cong irked over NCP's decision to contest Thane's LS bypoll

Thane, Apr 21 (UNI) The Congress high command has taken a serious view of the unilateral move of the NCP to field its candidate for the bypolls to the Thane Lok Sabha constituency, to be held on May 22.

The development follows thousands of faxes and representations made by Congressmen from Thane to the high command that the party, which was originally holding the seat, should contest it, party sources here said.

The partymen, who are in a confused state, are of the opinion that if the party leaders take the matter lightly then in next year's general elections it may not even get a single seat from here.

The party leaders, who met here during the weekend, justified the demand stating that originally a Congressman was the MP from the constituency and as an exception they had given the seat to NCP on the last occasion and now NCP should not demand the seat again.

With just a week left for filing of nominations, there is a confusion in the party circles.

The SS-BJP combine has already declared that it would nominate Anand Paranjpe, son of late sitting MP Prakash Paranjpe, for the bypolls.

UNI XR DB SP KN1723