Idea to take MNS on board received positively in NCP: Ajit

Press Trust of India  |  Mumbai 

The idea to bring Raj Thackeray-led MNS on board the grand alliance against the BJP-combine has been received positively by his party, said on Thursday.

Sources in the said the issue of taking along the MNS, perceived as being anti-North Indian, was being considered at the level of central leadership of the

and two other senior leaders of the party- Praful Patel and Jayant Patil- said that Parliamentary board of the also pressed for its chief to throw hat in the election ring again from Madha Lok Sabha seat.

Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, who currently represents the seat, said he himself urged Pawar to contest from the seat.

The leaders, however, said it is the NCP who would take a final call in this regard.

"I had met (MNS chief) yesterday. I apprised party leaders about it today. We will now discuss the issue with the The general mood within our party is positive towards taking forward discussion with the MNS," Pawar told reporters.

The meeting between Pawar and the MNS chief, who have in the past engaged in verbal sparring, took place in Dadar in central on Wednesday. It lasted for about one-and-a-half hours.

Patel said the final list of the candidates is likely to be announced in the next five to six days.

The Congress and the NCP are talking to alliance partners and would finalise things in two-three days, he added.

Patel exuded confidence that the grand alliance will be able to secure 35 seats in

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Thu, February 14 2019. 17:10 IST