A Marathi daily had reported that BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi had met NCP chief Pawar in the Capital on January 17, and discussed possible tie-up between the two parties in case NDA fails to muster majority. India will go to polls for the 16th Lok Sabha after three months.
However, the Union Agriculture Minister, who is heading the most trusted partner of Congress, denied the report on Twitter.
Earlier Praful Patel, who is considered to be next to Pawar in the party, had apparently defended Modi following Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s attack over Gujarat riots. Patel had said all should respect the judiciary and the Gujarat CM had been given clean chit by the court of law.
But Patel on Friday rejected media reports of a meeting between Pawar and Modi, saying “it is completely wrong that some sections of media have reported that the two leaders had a meeting recently where they discussed a possible alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.”
“We want to be in coalition with the Congress and hope that we will do good in the upcoming polls,” Patel said further.
Patel rubbished alliance reports but said options always open for any political party, adding “the delay in seat adjustment in Maharashtra has given rise to such speculation.”
