While the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) continue to deliberate on seat-sharing formula in the State, the inclusion of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the fold is faced with contradictory views.
According to NCP leaders and a section in the Congress, joining hands with the MNS would result in the Opposition alliance winning at least three of the six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai.
“The MNS can be very useful to the Congress-NCP alliance in three seats: Mumbai South, Mumbai South-Central and Mumbai North-Central. The Congress must gauge the ground reality and take the MNS into its fold,” a senior NCP leader said.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his public rally in Mumbai had concluded his speech saying all those who are fighting against Narendra Modi are welcome to join hands.
A section within the Congress is perceiving this statement as a green signal to even take the MNS in. Recently, Congress leader Milind Deora too had said in favour of the MNS, while comparing it with the Shiv Sena.
Sources in the Congress said an arrangement could be reached where the NCP would share a seat from its quota.
Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan, however, clarified that there can be no pact with the MNS. “The Mumbai Congress is not in favour of any such alliance. Mr. Gandhi’s statement should not be seen through that prism. We have already clarified that there cannot be any such alliance,” he said.
When asked about the NCP sharing a seat from its quota with the MNS, Mr. Chavan said no such talks had been held.
A section within the Congress, which is against the alliance, said it will not only drive north Indian votes away from the Congress, but the Bharatiya Janata Party can even make it an election issue in northern states. Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam has already denied any such possibility.