Congress-NCP watches BJP-Sena wrangle keenly

Amid the ongoing political fracas between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena, the Congress is sensing an opportunity, but the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance is playing its cards close to its chest on the issue of supporting the Sena.

Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan -- former Chief Minister -- met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Thursday. Maharashtra party unit chief Balasahab Thorat also called on Pawar.

According to Congress sources, the meetings were to discuss farmers' issues.

The Congress-NCP is keenly watching the unfolding political situation. The Congress is of the view till the BJP-Sena catfight continues, it must not reveal its hand.

However, the Congress is more dependent on the NCP about taking any drastic decision. The NCP was our alliance partner and any decision would be taken after due consultations with Pawar, said a senior Congress leader.

While Congress leaders are hopeful of the Sena breaking the alliance, party spokesperson Meem Afzal said, "The Sena has become a hard nut to crack for the BJP. But the BJP will not concede their demand of rotational chief ministership".

The Congress is out of power in the state since 2014. The section of the party is of the view that it should announce unconditional support to the Sena.

But the party is not in a hurry and are waiting for the final outcome of the BJP-Sena spat.

The Congress is also wary of the NCP startegy. In 2014, the NCP had bailed out the BJP government till the Sena joined the alliance, said a leader. IANS