The NCP, one of the founders of the UPA, has made it clear it will remain with the UPA till the 2014 LS polls. “We are small... we know our limitations well. But this is a coalition government and the spirit of coalition must reflect in the decision-making process,” an NCP leader said. He clarified that the party is neither asking for more berths, or key berths, or the induction of Ms Supriya Sule, sitting MP and daughter of Mr Pawar. “In fact, we don’t have a wish list. This is coming from rival camps... the dirty tricks department is also working. They are projecting the NCP as a corrupt party,” he said.
At the Centre, the Congress appears to be growing isolated in the UPA with three allies — Trinamul Congress, DMK and NCP — sulking for different reasons. The Congress has been completely ignoring its allies in the appointment of governors, nominations to the Rajya Sabha, and appointment of chairs of parliamentary standing committees and of the Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson.
Even AICC officials in Maharashtra are not keen to talk to the NCP leadership, insiders complained. Unlike at the Centre, NCP ministers in the state are not being consulted by the CM on the appointment of secretaries of their departments. Alleging that a smear campaign against NCP ministers was being carried out by the CM’s supporters, they said the CM should bring out a white paper on the irrigation sector in the state.
Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday indicated forward movement in removing irritants in ties with the NCP. “We have always considered the NCP to be an important component of the UPA. They are also our allies in Maharashtra. In coalition politics, certain differences of opinion arise, but they are solved through dialogue and mutual understanding,” Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters. Another senior leader, who declined to be identified, said there was forward movement in talks with the NCP. This leader downplayed developments in Mumbai where the CM has come under friendly fire from Congress MLAs with over 40 of them writing to the state party chief voicing their grievances.