Maharashtra Congress MPs wary of NCP's expanding base

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday reportedly asked his party to compromise only to a certain limit while dealing with the NCP, its ally for the last 15 years in Maharashtra.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday reportedly asked his party to compromise only to a certain limit while dealing with the NCP, its ally for the last 15 years in Maharashtra.

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Gandhi's hint came at his meeting - part of his ongoing interactions with party leaders from different states - with Congress MPs from Maharashtra.

Sources said the MPs had apparently cautioned him about the NCP expanding its base far and wide. A section also told Gandhi that the Congress cannot trust its alliance partner as NCP chief Sharad Pawar could spring a surprise at the last moment.

Some members, however, argued that Pawar will not rock the UPA boat but agreed that he cannot be relied upon for the assembly elections scheduled four months after the parliamentary polls.

The MPs also opposed economist-turned-politician Bhalch-andra Mungekar's suggestion of holding simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the state assembly.

On his part, Gandhi also signaled that the party was being revamped to make it fighting fit for the Lok Sabha elections.