New Delhi: On the same day that AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel offered an alliance with the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), led by Shiv Sena, NCP president Sharad Pawar claimed his party was not inclined to unite with AIMIM.
Jaleel's proposal for an alliance has already been rejected by the Shiv Sena, news agency PTI reported.
Addressing reporters at Baramati in the Pune district, Pawar said, "I have been reading about this statement (of Jaleel) but I want to clarify that this is not our party's stand (to ally with AIMIM)."
"They (AIMIM) can talk about alliances but the parties they are talking about should accept such proposal in the first place," the former Union minister said.
Pawar stated that while the AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) offered a state-level coalition, the establishment of such an alliance must be endorsed by the national committee of political parties.
Speaking at another occasion, Pawar mentioned a prospective meeting with officials concerning a new Pune airport, the location of which has still to be determined.
"Various defence establishments are located in and around Pune. Every morning, IAF conducts training sorties in these areas. We need to understand their (defence's) views and for that, we will hold a meeting in the next fortnight," Pawar said.
On Saturday, AIMIM MP Jaleel remarked in Aurangabad that his party was incorrectly referred to as the BJP's "B" squad.
"There is no power left in them (Shiv Sena) to defeat the BJP single-handed. That's why they need the support of Congress and NCP. I propose that let's add another wheel to the (three-wheeled) autorickshaw and make it a comfortable car. We have expelled the corporator who had opposed the singing of 'Vande Mataram' (in the Aurangabad municipal corporation) and he has joined the NCP now," he had informed a Marathi news channel.
(With PTI Inputs)