'Muslims getting attracted to NCP'

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, JAN. 26. Mr. Sharad Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party chief, today claimed that a large number of minorities, including Muslims, were beginning to ``get attracted to my party'' and ``soon, a major chunk of people led by a former MP, Mr. Harisingh, would join his outfit as well''.

Only last week, did an entire grouping led by Dr. Jagannath Mishra in Bihar merged with the NCP fold.

Speaking at a press conference after a sizable section of Muslims, led by Mr. Sohail Lokhandwala, MLA, who earlier owed its allegiance to the Samajwadi Party, joined his party, Mr. Pawar said ``they agree with the way we are in tune with the minorities.''

Earlier last week, the former chief of the SP in Maharashtra, Mr. Kishan Deshmukh, also migrated to the NCP.

The SP is a pre-poll ally of the NCP in Maharashtra. Mr. Lokhandwala, for instance, broke some time ago away from the two- man SP team in the Assembly, the other being Mr. Nawab Malik who is a Minister.

Some senior Congressmen from Bhiwandi town too joined the NCP today. Mr. Pawar said ``there was nothing wrong for a party to strengthen itself. All parties have a right to grow.''

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