NCP chief Sharad Pawar is not in favour of a split. Press Trust of India
The decision of the Congress and NCP on seat sharing for the Maharashtra elections - which has practically pushed the alliance to the edge - is expected to be announced this evening after yet another round of talks.
The rift between the two parties has reportedly grown wider following the NCP's latest demand for a rotation of the chief minister's post in case the alliance comes to power. The Congress has called it "unreasonable". The party was not even ready to accede to the NCP's earlier demand for contesting half of Maharashtra's 288 seats.
The fresh twist was introduced by Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and nephew of party chief Sharad Pawar. While Pawar Senior has not been in favour of a split, Mr Ajit Pawar believes the party should explore new avenues.(Read:
Want Alliance With Congress to Continue But Prepared for Divorce, Say NCP Sources)
A faction in Congress alleges it is a deliberate strategy of the Pawars to blow hot and blow cold. Others feel there has been a genuine rift between the two over the continuation of the alliance and the post of the chief minister.
There has been a speculation that the road may even lead to the BJP in case it parts company with Sena. "There is a suspicion that the NCP is talking to the BJP," admitted a source in the Congress.
At best, the party can give NCP 126 seats - twelve more than the last time, he said. Of these, only eight have been identified.
The Congress is also planning for a life after a possible split. "We are discussing names for all seats in case the alliance does not work out. We are not waiting for the NCP but talking to them," chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has told NDTV. (Read:
Prithviraj Chavan Snubs Sharad Pawar's NCP Over 'Ultimatum')
The party has already made it clear that it would not be responsible for the break-up.
"We hope the NCP will accept our proposal. We will not be responsible for any (possible) break up (of the alliance)," state Congress leader President Manikrao Thakre told the Press Trust of India on Tuesday.