Cong-NCP will get 28-30 seats in Mah: Jayant Patil

Nagpur: State NCP president

Jayant Patil

feels that Congress, NCP and its allies will get 28 to 30 seats in the state in the Lok Sabha elections. “The atmosphere in the state is turning against the ruling alliance. Our candidates got tremendous response during filing of nominations. This shows which way wind is blowing. All sections of society are coming together against BJP and Shiv Sena,” he said while addressing a press conference here.

According to Patil, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi of Prakash Ambedkar and Asauddin Owaisi will not damage Congress and NCP. “There was an atmosphere in its favour initially but now people think that it is a front propped up by BJP,” he said.

Patil slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for targeting NCP chief Sharad Pawar. “He is the first PM who is launching personal attacks on other leaders. Right from Jawaharlal Nehru to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the PM used to talk about policies and achievements of governments. However, as Modi has done nothing he is criticizing other leaders,” he said.

The state NCP chief claimed that Modi was targeting Pawar because he was the man who had brought all constituents of UPA together. “Pawar has the capacity of bring NDA constituents to our fold,” he said.

On Ambedkar’s statement that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was exerting pressure on Congress and NCP leaders, Patil said, “He is right. Even state BJP leaders are frequently threatening us. Shiv Sena was dead against BJP until a few weeks ago. But now it is singing praises of Modi. There must be something.”

On Raj Thackeray, Patil said that Congress and NCP did not have understanding with him. “He is campaigning against BJP and Sena on his own. He is raising valid points that is why he is attracting crowds,” he added.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said on Thursday that he would generate money for Nyay scheme by taking it from Ambanis. When asked whether this was possible, Patil said, “Ambanis does not mean the two brothers but all the rich. We will increase taxes on them. We will also give more relief to middle class in taxation.”