Date:20/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/20/stories/2007042001251300.htm

National

Goa polls: NCP for tie-up with Congress

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would like to have an alliance with the Congress in the Goa Assembly elections in June, NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar told reporters on Thursday.

He said the party's Goa unit desired to have a tie-up with the Congress to avoid division of secular votes. But it all depended on the Congress. "We want the Congress to recognise our strength there and agree to leave at least 10 seats for us."

The Assembly has 40 seats. Mr. Anwar said the NCP had been trying to have alliance with the Congress in all States. "But it cannot be one-sided."

The NCP and the Congress share power in Maharashtra and at the Centre but they are contesting the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections separately. The NCP is contesting 35 seats there.