No ties with Sena, but all options open, says NCP

The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party today dismissed as "absolutely unfounded" reports that the party would go with the Shiv Sena, but maintained that it has the option to align with any secular party.

 The NCP will hold its meeting of senior leaders including those from Maharashtra here on February 23 to finalise a strategy for the Lok Sabha elections, party spokesman D P Tripathi said.

"We have nothing to do with communal forces. But we have the option to align with any secular party," Tripathi said a day after Pawar reportedly had a meeting with Sena executive president Uddhav Thackarey.

His statement came at a time when the NCP is demanding a greater share in the seat-sharing talks with Congress in Maharashtra.

"There is no question of going with the Shiv Sena at all. It is a figment of imagination of some people. It is absolutely unfounded. Much should not be read in the courtesy calls. In democracy, we are opponents, not enemies," he said.