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No headway in govt formation in Maharashtra

By The Assam Tribune

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, Nov 18 - No early resolution of the 26-day-old impasse on government formation in Maharashtra appeared in sight on Monday, even as NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the issue did not figure in his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi earlier in the day.

Asked if he would rule out the NCP supporting the BJP in forming the government, Pawar evaded a direct reply and pointed out that the BJP was his party�s major opponent in the Assembly polls.

�The BJP and Sena contested the polls jointly. Ask them why are they not forming the government,� Pawar said.

There was no response to Pawar�s remarks from the Shiv Sena, which is banking on the support of NCP and Congress to keep the BJP away from power.

Amid the impasse over government formation in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extolled the virtues of the Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Parliament, praising the party for strictly �adhering to parliamentary norms.�

Addressing the House on the occasion of the 250th session of Rajya Sabha, Modi said, �Today I want to appreciate two parties, NCP and BJD. These parties have strictly adhered to parliamentary norms.�

In Mumbai, the BJP opted out of fray for the November 22 mayoral poll in India�s richest civic body, leaving the Sena retaining the mayor�s post a mere formality.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Pawar said he briefed Gandhi about the political situation in Maharashtra and that there was no talk on government formation in the state.

�We have discussed in detail the political situation in Maharashtra,� he said.

�We will keep an eye on the situation in Maharashtra. Congress and NCP leaders will hold further talks on the future course of action,� he added. � PTI

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