Cong plays down differences with SP, NCP on seat-sharing

Congress played down differences its differences with UPA allies like SP and NCP on seat-sharing in several states and said it was normal for a political party to position itself strongly before such an exercise.

Congress on Monday played down differences its differences with UPA allies like SP and NCP on seat-sharing in several states and said it was normal for a political party to position itself strongly before such an exercise.

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"Alliance partners want to contest more and more seats...But when they sit on the negotiation table, the strengths and weaknesses of each is assessed," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.

Asked about SP and the NCP pressurising Congress for more seats, Ahmed said when the allies sit together, no one should be suspicious.

To a query about former UP Chief Minister and BJP leader Kalyan Singh reportedly holding parleys with SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and whether Congress would be a part of such an alliance if it takes place, Ahmed said it was a hypothetical question.

Ahmed, however, took a dig at BJP saying it had several angry leaders and Prime Ministerial candidates.

"BJP has leaders who are angry...It has several PM candidates...Modi (Narendra) takes 4 days to deny that he is not a PM candidate," the spokesman said.

To a question why wasn't the party declaring any candidate for Lok Sabha elections as other parties have done and if it has anything to do with a shortage of candidates in the party, Ahmed said "on the contrary, we have so many candidates that it is taking time to finalise their names".