In setback for Congress, ally Sharad Pawar's NCP to contest upcoming Karnataka election

The NCP is planning to contest 40-45 seats in the May 10 Karnataka election, in regions where the BJP, Congress and Janata Dal United (JDU) are already eyeing a triangular fight.

The decision, which is a huge blow to larger opposition unity, is reportedly linked to the NCP losing its national status recently.

"We have to take steps to regain our national party status," NCP leader Praful Patel said.

The NCP has recently lost its national party status and also its "state party" status in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya.

The Election Commission has allotted Sharad Pawar's party its alarm clock symbol for the Karnataka elections.

The NCP is expected to ally with the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti in the Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary region, which is home to a sizable Marathi population.

The NCP's presence is most likely to impact its ally Congress, which fancies its chances in this election, with the ruling BJP fighting allegations of corruption and anti-incumbency.

Sharad Pawar met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday amid efforts of opposition unity ahead of the 2024 general elections.

According to reports, the leaders met to discuss strategies to unify the opposition.

"We are united," Rahul Gandhi told reporters emerging from the meeting.

Besides the NCP, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress Party and the CPI also lost their "national party" status.

The Election Commission has said these parties can regain their status based on their performance in future elections, including the Lok Sabha election next year.