Talks in right direction, says Uddhav

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, November 13

Leaders of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today held discussions with the Shiv Sena for framing the common minimum programme ahead of forming a tripartite alliance in Maharashtra.

Senior leaders of the Congress, led by Ahmed Patel, former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, president of the state Congress unit Balasaheb Thorat and his predecessor Manikrao Thakre, had held two meetings with Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray yesterday also.

“Talks are progressing in the right direction. Everything will be announced at the appropriate time,” Uddhav told mediapersons after today’s meeting. Sources said a five-member team of the NCP, led by former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and senior leaders Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil, Dhananjay Munde and Nawab Malik, had been holding talks with Congress leaders to prepare the common minimum programme.

With the Congress preparing to join the government in Maharashtra, the three parties are also making a blueprint for sharing power in the state, say sources.

However, initial indications are that the Shiv Sena will be the first to have its Chief Minister in Maharashtra. “The next Chief Minister will be from the Shiv Sena,” Sanjay Raut, party’s Rajya Sabha MP, said today.