Maharashtra Logjam: Congress, NCP To Discuss Govt Formation, Finalise CMP Today

To end the logjam between the three parties on government formation in Maharashtra, the Congress and NCP leaders will be meeting on Wednesday afternoon in New Delhi where the remaining issues of the Common Minimum Programme are likely to be resolved and a final call on government formation with Shiv Sena will be taken.

The talks from the Congress side are likely to be led by Malikarjun Kharge.

Sources say that Ahmed Patel may not attend the meeting, though he has been appointed as key point man to negotiate the CMP and fine-tune the power-sharing agreement.

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On Tuesday, Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi held a meeting with Ahmed Patel, A.K. Antony, Mallikarjun Kharge and K.C. Venugopal.

Sonia Gandhi asked all the leaders to finalise the deal within this week.

However, a top source said at this point too there is no commitment, and matters will move according to the talks, and Congress is "not in a hurry".

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On Monday, Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar had met Sonia Gandhi and discussed the possibility of a tie-up.

After the meeting, Pawar said that "I have briefed Sonia Gandhi about the political situation in the state and leaders of NCP, Congress will meet to discuss the issues and then will report to Sonia Gandhi."

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The Congress has also kept the window open, party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

Pawar has ruled out any tie-up with the BJP, but said that during the meeting supporting the Shiv Sena was not discussed.