NCP announces an external support for the BJP

Amidst election results, a very surprising move came in from the Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra. Ahead of forming the government in the state, the NCP suddenly declared its outside support for the BJP.

All of a sudden, the NCP seems to have realized that the Bharatiya Janata Party can give a stabilized government to the state. NCP leader Praful Patel was speaking to press when he declared this decision of his party.

“The situation in a 4 to 5 cornered elections has led to a situation where no one party is in a position to form the government. We have also explored all the options to see what the alternatives possible are. And we feel that in the interest of Maharashtra there is no other alternative but to see the largest party in the assembly, that is the Bharatiya Janata Party. They can only give a stable government to the state. And also the fact that BJP is ruling in the centre. It will be in the larger interest of Maharashtra to support the formation of a government in Maharashtra led by the BJP. In this eventuality, the Nationalist Congress Party has declared to extend its support to a proposed BJP government in Maharashtra from outside,” said Praful Patel, senior BJP leader while declaring his party’s decision.

Some call it an expected move whereas for others it is truly a surprising move. Sharad Pawar and Narendra Modi have been critical of one another. While campaigning before elections, both had criticized one another and in the wake of such remarks, it was difficult to even think that such a decision may come from NCP.

Yet no one was able ignore this possibility as there were speculations that BJP and NCP may come together. A source too, had indicated a similar possibility to Spectralhues earlier today.

Even as the NCP has declared its outside support to the BJP, there is no word from BJP on it. BJP President Amit Shah conducted a Press Conference where he said that their decision will be out in public domain after the Parliamentary Board Meeting. Shah also said that they did not break ties with the Shiv Sena.

On the other hand, there is no move from Shiv Sena.

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash