Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, holding the NCP responsible for the breakup in ties between the Congress and the NCP, alleged that his former allies had a connection with the BJP.
This development came a day after the Congress put out its first list of 118 candidates as the alliance failed to come to any consensus.
The 15-year alliance thus ended on a bitter note.
Announcing the breakup with the Congress, senior NCP leader Praful Patel alleged that Mr Chavan was being non-communicative during the crucial seat-sharing discussions.
The NCP had demanded an equal share of seats — 144 — from the Congress, that was refused.
Later, the NCP also demanded sharing of the CM’s post — for two and a half years by each party.
The NCP leader even objected to the declaration of the first list by the Congress before finalising the seats.
“The Congress declared the seats, of which a few were sought by the NCP. We never betrayed Congress like this,” he said.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said the NCP was withdrawing support from the government.
