9 Independent MLAs, Rane aide join NCP

“The top leaders of Congress and NCP held talks on seat-sharing in Delhi. We are awaiting the response. The ball is in their court,” Ajit Pawar told reporters after inducting the nine Independent legislators into the NCP. “We are firm on 144 seats,” he said.

Asked if there were plans to contest polls without the Congress, he said: “So far there are no such plans.” When pointed out that Congress leaders were scrutinising candidates for seats that are now with the NCP, Pawar said: “If that is the case, we also won’t keep quiet. Anyways, it is their (Congress) right to undertake such an exercise.”

“There is a trend seen in workers of all parties to go independent,” he said, in response to a query. “Senior NCP leaders feel there should be no division of secular votes,” Pawar said.

Meanwhile, the NCP Monday also inducted former legislator Rajan Teli, a former aide of Congress state campaign chief Narayan Rane. NCP state president Sunil Tatkare evaded a direct response to queries on Teli’s name allegedly figuring in a murder case.