NCP has not given any ultimatum over poll alliance: Thakre

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Manikrao Thakre today said that NCP has not given any ultimatum to his party on announcing alliance for the October 13 Assembly elections.

"There has been a delay in taking a decision on alliance. But, we are expecting the allilance in two to three days," Thakre told reporters at the end of the three day state Parliamentary Board meeting where over 3000 aspirants were interviewed for all the 288 Assembly constituencies.

Congress is in a strong position in 173 assembly segments, while the NCP has a good chance in 115 constituencies, Thakre said.

"Seat sharing should take place considering the ground realities," he said.

Congress wants to unite all secular forces, he said, adding decision on renominating sitting MLAs would be taken as per the prevailing situation after delimitation of constituencies.

Most of the aspirants interviewed were women and youth, Thakre said.

Miraj assembly constituency had the highest number of 54 applicants while Bhokar in Marathwada (chief minister Ashok Chavan's assembly constituency after delimitation and Kalina in Mumbai (Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh's constituency) received only one application.

The morale and enthusiasm of workers is high and they want the Congress to go alone in the elections, Thakre said.

Meanwhile, NCP state unit president RR Patil told reporters that the party had received a total of 3066 applications from aspiring candidates. The party is interested in a coalition but the final decision will be taken in Delhi.

"We will accomodate all sections of the society in ticket distribution," he said.

The saffron alliance also suffered a setback with three sitting BJP MLAs - Prakash Salunke, Suresh Dhas and Baburao Pacharne joining the NCP.

Former Sena MLA Nandkumar Kale, a close aide of Industries minister Narayan Rane also joined the Sharad Pawar outfit.