Mumbai: The battle for the North-West Parliamentary seat in Mumbai, is being fought on many different levels. On the surface the Congress seems to be fighting the Shiv Sena for this coveted seat by fielding Priya Dutt against two-time Sena MP Madukar Sarpotdar.
As the north-west parliamentary street was used to be the late Sunil Dutt's territory, and many believe winning the seat will be a cake-walk for Dutt.
But, there?s also a silent war underway:one between poll partners the Congress and the NCP; a war that further confirms the ongoing tussle between the two. And here?s why: The NCP?s ally for many years, the RPI(A), has fielded a candidate against Dutt for the November 19th by-election. The candidate is a wealthy dance-bar owner, Manjit Singh Abrol.
Although the RPI are critical of their ally...many believe there is a tacit understanding between the two parties. Political watchers, too, say this is only a front, a ploy by the NCP to eat into the large Congress votebank.
State NCP Chief Arun Gujarati, too, shrugged off any problems between them and the RPI. "We have cordial relations and no controversy," said Gujarati.
However, there?s not much the Congress can do. Priya Dutt, when asked to comment on the situation said: "You'llhave to discuss this with the Congress, as to why they spilt up in their approach to supporting us.
The Congress-NCP alliance has always been fraught with tension. Especially since the NCP has emerged as the stronger one in Assembly polls.
Recent statements by Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil on fighting the forthcoming BMC elections alone, and the competition to absorb as many rebels from the Shiv Sena in the party as possible, have only added fuel to a quiet fire. Whether this fire will devour a so-far-successful alliance remains to be seen.
Comments
0 comment