No Chance Of Shiv Sena Backing Congress–NCP Govt In Maharashtra: NCP leader Nawab Malik

NCP says any decision on government formation will be taken in consultation with the Congress.

Updated on: 12 November 2019 11:34 am

As the political crisis in Maharashtra deepens, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik ruled out any possibility of Shiv Sena supporting an NCP-Congress government in the state.

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has invited Sharad Pawar led-NCP to meet him on Tuesday to inform its willingness about forming government in the state. The Governor on Monday rejected Shiv Sena’s request for extra time to get letters of support. Sharad Pawar-led NCP will meet the Governor at 8.30 pm on Tuesday. Speaking to Outlook, Nawab Malik said the three parties will have to come together for a consensus on forming the government.

Governor has invited the NCP to meet him at 8.30 pm on Tuesday. What will you convey to the Governor? Are you ready to form the government?

Malik: Let the time come. We don’t have numbers till now. We are waiting for Congress to give a green signal. No decision will be taken unless the three parties come together.

There are speculations about Shiv Sena supporting NCP-Congress government. Are you exploring that possibility?

Malik: The scenario of Shiv Sena backing the Congress- NCP government is not possible. There is absolutely no chance.

Did you hear from the Congress today?

Malik: We have not heard from Congress yet. We are ready to sit together and discuss but Congress has to take a decision. Till now, they haven’t. They are sitting and discussing but no decision has been made so far.

Why is the Congress reluctant to extend support? Are they bound by ideological compulsions?

Malik: I am clueless about the reasons that stop Congress from supporting Shiv Sena. However, their MLAs are ready to extend support and they feel there should be an alternate government in Maharashtra. It’s the central leadership that is reluctant to extend support

Any meeting scheduled between Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi today?

Malik: Nothing scheduled yet.

If the Congress declines support to Shiv Sena, will it impact the NCP-Congress alliance?

Malik: The alliance will continue irrespective of any decision by the Congress. It will have no impact on the alliance. Any decision will be taken in consultation with the Congress leaders and we will continue as alliance partners.