New Delhi:
It may well be a pressure tactic, but the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is sending out a strong message to its ally at the Centre, the Congress, by announcing that it plans to team up with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala for assembly polls. Party members allege that the Congress has not given it space in the political landscape, hence the decision.
"We would like to be with the Congress but Congress does not want us to be with them.... If Congress does not give us space, we will try to find our own space," NCP General Secretary D P Tripathi told reporters in New Delhi.
He said the NCP would forge an alliance of secular and democratic parties in various states, particularly in Kerala and Assam, where elections are due next year.
Tripathi said NCP is now a part of the LDF in Kerala and will contest elections jointly next year.
NCP could also explore options in Andhra Pradesh where Jagan Mohan Reddy is going ahead with his Odarpu Yatra despite objection to it from the Congress high command.
Taking its bitterness with Congress to new lengths, Tripathi said the party would be part of the LDF protests in Kerala against price rise.
Does this set the stage for a split within the UPA? Sources say, the NCP's decision is aimed at sending a strong message to the Congress, that it cannot be ignored.
Sharad Pawar has already made his intentions clear to the Prime Minister asking that his ministerial burden be reduced.
On Pawar's request to Singh to reduce his workload to enable him give attention to strengthening his party, Tripathi said that the NCP would like the principles of coalition to be upheld.
"The coalition principles state that the share of the constituent party in the government should not be reduced or taken away. We wish our share in government to remain, but it is for the Prime Minister to decide," he said.
The minister in charge of food and agriculture has been under attack over rising prices, but the NCP says, it can't alone be held responsible.
There were also reports that Praful Patel is not very happy with the Civil Aviation Ministry and is pushing for a key infrastructure ministry. So, is the NCP trying to drive a hard bargain?
So far the Congress has refused to respond to the revolt.
Commenting on the issue, Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said, "No issue, it happens. There is no problem with the alliance in Center and this has happened in other states as well."
On the party's approach to Bihar, Tripathi said, "If the Congress does not have an alliance with us, we will go with the smaller parties."
Elections are due in Bihar later this year and Congress has already indicated that it will go it alone in the polls.
Asked whether it was ethical for the NCP to be part of UPA and oppose its policies, Tripathi shot back and said, "It is absolutely ethical."
"We are in alliance with the NCP at the national level as well as in Maharashtra. But NCP had put its candidates against us in Bihar. It is normal," Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.
(
With inputs from PTI)