NCP, UDF form poll alliance in Assam

NCP and newly-formed United Democratic Front have entered into a poll alliance for the coming Assembly elections in Assam.

The NCP and the newly-formed United Democratic Front (UDF) have entered into a poll alliance for the coming Assembly elections in Assam and will maintain equi-distance from both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP, NCP president Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday.

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The "agreement in principle" between the NCP and UDF was to explore the possibility of getting into its fold like minded democratic, secular and other progressive political parties, Pawar told reporters here.

The NCP and UDF, a conglomeration of 14 minority organisations, would also hold talks with the left parties such as the CPI and CPI-M maintaining equi-distance from both the Congress and BJP, he said.

The alliance partners would chalk out a common minimum programme laying emphasis on the downtrodden irrespective of caste, creed, language, ethnicity for overall development of the state, besides working out the details on seat sharing and campaigning.

To a query why the NCP would keep the Congress at bay when it was an UPA partner at the Centre, the Union Minister said, "we (NCP) are working separately in many states. Our understanding is only at the national level. It is a question of choice".

"If a situation comes when the government cannot be formed without our support, we will sit in the opposition. What is there? But we will keep the BJP out", Pawar asserted.