In deference to people’s wish NCP will sit in oppn, says Pawar

In the backdrop of speculations that the Shiv Sena will tie up with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress to form the government in Maharashtra, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday (November 1) asserted that his party will sit in the opposition as preferred by the people.

Speaking to reporters in Nashik, he said, “We do not have a clear majority. People have asked us to sit in the opposition. We accept that mandate and will take care that we play that role effectively.”

Answering another question the Maratha strongman said that the question of NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena coming together was not even discussed in the party.

He also termed as “childish” the tussle between the BJP and its ally Shiv Sena over sharing of the chief minister’s post.

Pawar said, “The people have given them the opportunity (to form government). They must use it. But what is going on now (between them) is childish in my opinion.”

The BJP and Shiv Sena, which contested the October 21 Maharashtra assembly poll jointly, won 105 and 56 seats respectively. The NCP and Congress have clinched 54 and 44 seats respectively.

The Shiv Sena has been insisting the BJP to share the chief minister’s post for two-and-half years on rotational basis. The BJP is reluctant to implement such an arrangement.

Any party or alliance seeking to form government will require the support of at least 145 MLAs on the floor of the 288-member state assembly.