NCP needs to introspect if candidates were against us: Cong

Congress in Maharashtra on Tuesday asked NCP to introspect on whether its senior leaders had worked for or against candidates of its coalition partner during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in the state.

In a letter to the NCP president RR Patil, (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakre said the need of the hour was to clear the air of confusion between the two coalition partners.

Referring to Patil's recent criticism of Congress, Thakre said the NCP should do a reality check. "If needed, the Congress was ready for a joint committee of Congress-NCP leaders to find out who had worked against the official coalition candidates and take action," he said.

Citing some examples, Thakre said that in Mumbai North Central, NCP leader Nawab Malik was instrumental in putting up the candidature of Bhaijan on BSP ticket against Congress candidate Priya Dutt.

Home Minister Jayant Patil had backed Congress rebel Ajit Ghorpade against party nominee Prateek Patil in Sangli, he said.

Tribal Development Minister Vijaykumar Gavit had put up his brother on Samajwadi party ticket against Congress candidate Manikrao Gavit in Nandurbar whereas Ajit Pawar had stayed away from Suresh Kalmadi's campaign in Pune.

"We have received many such complaints from different parts of the state," Thakre said.