This Article is From May 23, 2014

NCP Blames Congress for Defeat, Says 'We Paid the Price for Their Confusion'

NCP Blames Congress for Defeat, Says 'We Paid the Price for Their Confusion'
New Delhi: The 15-year-old Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance in Maharashtra has come under strain following its drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls.

The two UPA partners could only win six of the 48 seats in Maharashtra, with the rejuvenated BJP-Shiv Sena combine walking away with the remaining 42. In 2009, the Congress-NCP alliance had cornered 25 seats. The Congress, which had won 17 seats in the state five years ago, took a severe knock, and saw its tally dip to a mere two. Its ally, NCP, fared only marginally better, winning four seats in the state.

The outcome of the Lok Sabha polls is certain to cast a shadow on the ties between the two UPA partners. With elections to the Maharashtra assembly due by October, the NCP has started flexing its muscles with the aim of securing a better seat sharing deal.  

Sharad Pawar's party, which took stock of its electoral performance in Pune today, squarely blamed the Congress for the alliance's debacle in Maharashtra. "The Congress did not take other alliance partners into confidence. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh simply vanished from the scene. There was confusion among the people on the Congress' prime ministerial candidate... Last five years Congress ignored political dialogue and we had to pay the price," said outgoing union minister Praful Patel, considered a close confidante of Mr Pawar.

The NCP leaders, at the end of brainstorming session, said they would demand a better seat-sharing arrangement, as their party had performed better. Besides winning four seats in Maharashtra, the NCP opened its account in Bihar and Lakshadweep too.

It is not just UPA allies who are indulging in blame-game. Yesterday, Congress leaders Milind Deora and Priya Dutt appeared to criticise the party leadership.

"Those with no electoral experience were calling the shots in the party," Mr Deora tweeted, adding that those taking advice should also bear responsibility. His comments were seen as a critique of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

"There is disconnect between people on the ground and top leaders," added Priya Dutt. The two Congress leaders were defeated in the national elections.

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