The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has decided to stick to its position that none of its three Ministers will work unless the Congress leadership “assures” better co-ordination in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
In an indication that the crisis in New Delhi may reach Mumbai as well, the party has decided to hold a meeting of the working committee in the presence of senior Maharashtra leaders, Mr Ajit Pawar and Mr Chhagan Bhujbal.
Maintaining that it has no plans to walk out of the UPA, NCP leaders said they wanted the Government to improve its performance ahead of the general elections in 2014.
“Be it the Union Government or the Maharashtra Government, the Congress continues to avoid consultations with allies. A total of 206 MPs is far away from the simple majority in Lok Sabha,” a top NCP leader told
A meeting of the leaders, held here on Monday, decided to hold further consultations with the Maharashtra leaders. The Congress leadership, meanwhile, is trying to reach out to the NCP leaders.
Congress leaders indicated that there will be more meetings with Mr Pawar and his party leaders this week.
The Heavy Industries Minister, Mr Praful Patel, told reporters after the meeting that there were issues over the Government’s functioning in Maharashtra as well.
“As far as the UPA is concerned, we have made it clear we are part of the UPA and will continue to support the Government and the UPA till the very end,” Mr Patel added.
The NCP leaders are miffed at the “treatment” meted out to Mr Pawar by the Congress leadership. “They are taking him for granted. They want his help to resolve many administrative and political issues,” a leader said, hinting that the NCP ministers, including Ms Agatha Sangma, will join work if the Congress announces a mechanism for consultations within the UPA.
There were also rumours that Mr Pawar was unhappy with the Congress’ possible decision to elect the Power Minister, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, as Leader of Lok Sabha. The NCP circles pointed out that Mr Shinde was “much junior” to Mr Pawar in politics. It wanted the Congress to discuss such issues in the UPA.