Maharashtra: NCP eyes Upper House posts with support offer to BJP government

By offering outside support to the BJP government for "stability", the NCP, it seems, is actually aiming to win the post of presiding officer in the state legislative council, the Upper House, as well as the post of the leader of opposition in the Upper House.

A senior NCP MLA told dna that the party was considering fielding former minister Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar for the post of presiding officer in the Upper House, and state unit president Sunil Tatkare for the post of leader of opposition in the state legislative council.

Soon after the election results NCP leader Praful Patel had tweeted that the party would play an important role in government formation. As none of the major parties has absolute majority, NCP president Sharad Pawar is playing his cards such that he doesn't end up a loser if the minority government of the BJP does not last long.

Political analyst Kumar Saptarshi, who is also a former MLA and founder of Yuvak Kranti Dal, said it is usual for Sharad Pawar to create a confusion for his own benefit. Pawar can throw a stone in the river and say that whatever has happened is because of his action of throwing the stone in the water, Saptarshi added.

The senior MLA from NCP also said the election for the Upper House post will be held during the winter session, which will be held in Nagpur between December 8 and 28.

The NCP has 28 MLCs, while Congress has 21 in the legislative council, giving the former an advantage.

Another NCP leader said that the party, by extending support to the BJP, will ensure it wins both the posts in Upper House, so that it can play an important role while passing crucial bills.