Few takers for NCP MLA seats

Likelihood of Cong contesting more seats in upcoming Assembly elections has resulted in fewer NCP application forms being sold

Likelihood of Cong contesting more seats in upcoming Assembly elections has resulted in fewer NCP application forms being sold

Sharad Pawar's NCP has opened its doors to aspiring MLAs in the city and state, but everyone seems to follow a wait-and-watch approach.
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The party has sold 128 application forms for the 36 seats in the state compared to 200 during the last Assembly elections in 2004.

BAD TIMES: Sharad Pawar, the NCP party chief

According to party sources, aspirants are wary at the moment due to the uncertainty over NCP's alliance partner.

"In all likelihood, once the NCP forms an alliance, most MLA aspirants will be thrown out of the race because it is a weaker and smaller party compared to the Congress.

Also, its performance in the Lok Sabha elections this year was unsatisfactory," said a party office bearer.

However, another NCP worker said, "More people may buy application forms in the coming days."

Pressure from Cong

Meanwhile, the Congress is trying several tricks to build pressure on the NCP and contest most seats in the state.
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Despite rebukes from several NCP leaders, Congress leader Digvijay Singh has to his party to join hands with the NCP.

Aspiring NCP MLAS

Dinkar Tawde (Jogeshwari East), Sharad Rao (Goregaon), Vidya Chavan (Dindoshi), Sachin Ahir (Worli), Nawab Malik (Kalina), Pankaj Bhujbal (Mazgaon), Bashir Patel (Mumbadevi), Sharad Kulkarni (Mahim), Prakash Surve (Magathane) and Shivaji Nalavade (Ghatkopar west)