Sharad Pawar seeks alliance with TMC, Congress for Goa polls

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said talks are on with like-minded parties to jointly take on BJP in next month's Goa Assembly elections.

NCP leader Praful Patel and Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut are talking with local Congress leaders there, Pawar told reporters.

"There is common thinking that BJP should be defeated there and talks are in progress with like-minded parties, he said. Our desire is that parivartan (change) is needed in Goa. There is a need to oust BJP from power there," he said.

On Trinamool Congress' alliance with MGP in Goa, Pawar said, "They spoke to MGP and they spoke to our people. And the discussion is on to take other people and fight the elections jointly. The NCP chief said his party will contest the ensuing elections in Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Goa. NCP will contest five seats in Manipur with Congress and tie-up with Samajwadi Party in UP elections," he said.

On claims of security lapse during of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit, Pawar said, "The post of prime minister is an institution and security is the responsibility of the Centre and the state and necessary care needs to be taken."