The Sharad Pawar-led NCP is mulling over to contest in about 20 to 25 assembly seats in Orissa where it extended support to BJD in the trust vote, but has not decided yet about a possible alliance with the ruling party in the state.
"We are looking to contest in about 20 to 25 seats and will finalise the seats within the next three to four days," State unit president Bijoy Mohapatra told PTI on Friday. He was in Delhi to hold talks with the central leadership.
The party has a minimal presence in Orissa with only two members in the 147-member state assembly. Elections to State Assembly will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.
While senior party leaders are already in touch with BJD about a poll pact, Mohapatra said an alliance with the BJD would be decided at an appropriate time.
To a question if he was happy with his party extending support to BJD, he said, "It was the decision of the central leadership."
Mohapatra was one of the founding members of BJD, which expelled him in early 2000 after he fell out with BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik. Later, he floated a regional outfit 'Orissa Gana Parishad.´ It subsequently merged with NCP in 2007.
{{/usCountry}}Mohapatra was one of the founding members of BJD, which expelled him in early 2000 after he fell out with BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik. Later, he floated a regional outfit 'Orissa Gana Parishad.´ It subsequently merged with NCP in 2007.
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