NCP open to alliance with Cong: Pawar

MUMBAI: NCP president and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that the party was interested in forming an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming elections in the state, including the civic elections next year.
However, he was quick to add, "We want the alliance for the BMC elections, but if the Congress wants to go it alone, we are prepared to fight all 227 wards in Mumbai and other places in the state."
Pawar was addressing a press conference at MIT in Bandra, after a day-long convention with senior party leaders from the city where he launched a mass contact drive in the state in view of the municipal corporation and zilla parishad elections in 2011-12.The party will hold a massive rally on June 10 in Mumbai, where a charter of demands for Dalits and OBCs in the state will be drawn up, taking into consideration the changed situation due to economic policies at state and national levels.
The NCP plans to hold a women's rally in Nagpur in August and a labour rally in Thane. Similar state-level rallies will be held for tribals, minorities and farmers.
The NCP will hold a massive rally for the backward communities in the state in Mumbai on June 10, the foundation day of the NCP. During the rally, the NCP will prepare a charter of demands for Dalits and OBCs in the state by taking in to view changed situation due to economic policies at the state and the national level.
Similar rallies for mass contacts will be held during coming months - women's rally in Nagpur in August, labour rally in Thane. Similar state level rallies will be held for tribals, minorities and farmers.
Pawar said the party will be led by Mumbai NCP president Narendra Verma during the 2012 BMC elections. He will be assisted by senior ministers Jayant Patil and Sachin Ahir. Five NCP legislators from Mumbai and MP Sanjay Patil will head six districts in the city
and coordinate election efforts of the party.
When asked about the just-concluded elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and other states, Pawar said, "I do not find BJP growing in these elections. Results will depend on local situations."
Pawar also criticized Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray for opposing the Jaitapur power plant. "No one can predict earthquakes, but that does not stop us from constructing houses all over the place. Let us not forget that we have the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai and the Tarapore nuclear plant," Pawar said.
"Maharashtra cannot afford to have load-shedding and needs electricity to improve its industrial growth. We have to construct power plants whether they are nuclear, gas-based, hydro or coal," he observed.
Talking about just held elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and other states, he said, "I do not find BJP growing in these elections. Results will depend on local situations."
Emphasizing the need to maintain the secular fabric of Mumbai, commercial capital of the country, NCP president and union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said the party was interested in having an alliance with the Congress in coming elections in the state, including the civic elections next year.
However, he was quick to add, "We want the alliance for the BMC elections, but if the Congress wants to go alone, we are also prepared to fight all the 227 wards in Mumbai and other places in the state."
Addressing a press conference at MIT in Bandra after day long convention of senior party leaders from the city, he launched a mass contact drive in the state in view of municipal corporation and Zillah Parishads elections in year 2011-12.
Talking about just held elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and other states, he said, "I do not find BJP growing in these elections. Results will depend on local situations."
He said the party will be led by Mumbai NCP president Narendra Verma during the coming BMC elections. He will be assisted by senior ministers Jayant Patil and Sachin Ahir. Five NCP legislators from Mumbai and city MP Sanjay Patil will head six districts in the city and coordinate election efforts of the party.
The NCP will hold a massive rally of backward communities in the state in Mumbai city on June 10, the foundation day of the NCP. During the rally, the NCP will prepare a charter of demands for Dalit's and OBCs in the state by taking in to view changed situation due to economic policies at the state and the national level.
Similar rallies for mass contacts will be held during coming months - women's rally in Nagpur in August, labour rally in Thane. Similar state level rallies will be held for tribals, minorities and farmers.
Pawar expressed displeasure with media for overzealous coverage of scams. When asked he said baseless charges were leveled against him but none was proved.
He criticized the Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray for opposition to the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power project. "I do not know why he is opposing the project but the government cannot stop development activities because of the fear of natural calamities."
When asked whether Sena opposition to Jaitapur was immature, he said, "How can I say so, when Uddhav's son is also in politics now."
"No one can predict earth quakes, but that does not stop us from constructing houses all over the places. Let us not forget that we have the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai and the Tarapore nuclear plant," Pawar added.
"Maharashtra cannot afford to have load shedding and needs electricity to improve its industrial growth. We have to construct power plants whether they are nuclear, gas-based, hydro or coal," he observed.