Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said that NCP and Indian National Congress (INC) will contest 125 seats each in upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls. He also said that remaining 38 seats will be given to smaller allies across state. 

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Re-kindled alliance

two parties will continue ir alliance for se elections and will fight for 228 seat assembly toger.  dates for elections have t been anunced yet by Election commission, but polls are likely to be conducted in month of October. NCP chief, however, specified that details of seats which will be contested are yet to be discussed and decided. 

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In 2014, two parties had fought assembly polls separately after y could t come to a seat-sharing agreement. Pawar ended alliance after a period of 15 years. decision to break alliance had an impact on fate of both parties as y mand to secure less than 50 seats individually. INC won 42 seats, whereas NCP 41 seats, finishing third highest and fourth highest respectively in 2014 Assembly polls. BJP won 122 seats, highest number of seats and finally allied with Shiv Sena. 

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Exodus worries for alliance

NCP and INC will hope that renewed alliance will repeat result of 2009 Maharashtra polls when y won 144 seats. However, two parties are facing a mounting problem of ir leaders shifting to rival parties before polls. Three-time MP of NCP, Udayanraje Bhosale, joined BJP last week. He was welcomed to party by Amit Shah and Devendra Fadnavis. After joining BJP, Bhosale said, "Shivaji Maharaj had one moto -- 'Sarv Dharm Sambhav' and India's democracy has been running with that moto only. BJP is trying to build a stronger democracy under Modi and Amit Shah's leadership.
I believe that BJP is leading today by following Shivaji's viewpoints and motto. BJP is progressing in so many states and many people want to become a part of this party. body ever thought of resolving Kashmir issue but Modi government worked in that direction". Sachin Ahir and Chitra Wagh recently quit party as well. Vaibhav Pichad recently said that he wished to leave. Urmila Matondkar, who joined Congress in March, left party on September 10. Kripa Shankar Singh also quit INC last week. Seven INC members and eight NCP members have left ir parties from current Maharashtra Assembly.

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