Pawar hopes to rope in RJD, SP, LJP

Baramati (Maharashtra), Apr 23 (ANI): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that he will try to bring back the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), into the "umbrella of UPA".

Pawar, after casting his vote from his home constituency Baramati, told the reporters here that he would hold discussions with the leaders of the three parties (RJD, SP, LJP), which are contesting against the Congress in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Talking about the primeministerial candidate of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Pawar said that the candidate for the prime post would be chosen only after a consensus is formed among allies.

"Congress has every right to declare Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister. (But) when you take a decision on behalf of the UPA, you (UPA allies) will have to sit together and decide," he said.

When asked about his own prospects of continuing in the race of the primeministership, he denied to give his views saying that it is premature at this stage to discuss about the issue.

Asserting that the UPA may need the support of the Left parties to form a government at the Centre, he said, "I honestly feel that this time we require the blessings and support of the Left parties. That is why from the first day, I am consistently saying to all my colleagues in the UPA that let us keep good rapport with the Left."

Pawar further claimed that the Left is the only section, which will never support any "communal outfit."

Pawar is contesting Madha Lok Sabha seat in Solapur district. He is registered as a voter in Baramati his home town. (ANI)