Nagpur, 02 Jan (HS): Former minister and leader of

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), Anil Deshmukh has alleged that

Congress broke the alliance with the Maha-Vikas Aghadi (MVA) due to pressure

from Bharatiya Janata Party.

Congress decided to contest the Nagpur Municipal

Corporation elections alone to benefit BJP, he said while addressing a press

conference on Friday.

Congress and NCP (SP) held discussions and also agreed

on seats sharing. After the formula for seats sharing was finalised Congress

decided to contest the elections independently at the last moment on the last

day of fling nominations, Deshmukh alleged. On the last day Congress leaders

did not respond, which was a clear indication of the party deciding to break

away from the MVA alliance, particularly NCP (SP). Deshmukh maintained that the

move was to benefit BJP in the elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar