Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar today confirmed the NCP-Congress alliance for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.

Speaking to media persons in Mumbai today Sharad Pawar said that NCP and Congress, which form the ruling Democratic Front, have historically, contested elections together in a seat-sharing arrangement. Pawar, while agreeing to negotiate on seat sharing formula with Congress, said that his party would insist to contest 144 seats, but will however take a call after deciding on the winability factor between two parties. Stating that NCP’s performance is better than that of the Congress in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, Pawar said there should be definitely a rethink on the seat-sharing formula for the assembly elections.

Pawar also took dig at his Nephew and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Pawar referring to his nephew said, that he should know that he is the president of the party and the decision on seat sharing agreement will only come after holding talks with his party’s old alliance partner and there is no question of going solo. Ajit Pawar had said last month that the party will go solo for the assembly elections, if less than 144 seats are allocated to NCP.

Prior to addressing the press, Pawar today met NCP ministers to review the party’s preparations for the Assembly elections due in October.

Yesterday Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan also clarified that the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party will contest the upcoming assembly polls as an alliance.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar also raised concern over the recent Pune blast and stressed for a thorough probe by the state government and Union Home minister. Pawar also expressed concern on foreign direct investment in Defence and said there are certain areas in the ministry which are highly sensitive, therefore how much FDI should be allowed should be decided properly.