Day 1: Cong-NCP-Sena close to finalising CMP, high-command signoff pending

Speaking after the joint meeting of NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena leaders on Thursday, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar revealed that the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) had almost been finalised. He stated that after the completion of the final draft in one-two hours, it would be sent to the respective party leadership. Wadettiwar mentioned that important leaders of all three parties were present in the meeting. While President’s Rule was imposed in Maharashtra on Tuesday, hectic parlays have been going on in Shiv Sena, BJP and Congress camps to work out a post-poll alliance for government formation. 

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Wadettiwar remarked, “Today, we had a discussion on Common Minimum Programme. And we are reaching consensus on many issues. And, and in this meeting, the final draft of the CMP has come close to completion. After finalising the draft in 1-2 hours, it will be sent to the leadership of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. On this occasion, leaders of all parties were present. From Congress- Prithviraj Chavan, Manikrao Thakre and me, from Shiv Sena- Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai and from NCP- Chhagan Bhujbal, Nawab Malik and Jayant Patil were present.” 

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'There will be no obstacle'

While refusing to disclose more details about individual demands put forth by the parties, Wadettiwar mentioned that Congress was the first party to demand a CMP. He also promised that the final draft would be disclosed before the media once it would be approved. The Congress leader asserted that there would not be any obstacle in the formation of government if the party high command took a quick decision regarding the final draft. He added that the power-sharing was not discussed in the meeting.  

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The Congress leader noted, “Congress had first demanded that there should be a Common Minimum Programme. After that, we held discussions with NCP. And now we will send the draft to the high command. After they give the green signal to this draft, then it will be disclosed before the media. If Pawar Saheb and our high command take a swift decision on the draft, then there will be no obstacle in the formation of the government.” 

(With ANI inputs)

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