Praful sends out a loaded message: Friends till 2014

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A still-sulking Nationalist Congress Party continued its standoff with the Congress on Monday, but made it clear that it will remain part of the UPA at least till the 2014 general election.

“We are part of the UPA and will continue to support the government and the UPA till the very end,” NCP leader Praful Patel told reporters after its working committee met on Monday to discuss options.

NCP president Sharad Pawar and Mr Patel skipped Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s dinner on Monday night in honour of outgoing President Pratibha Patil. Party leaders have resolved to stay away from government functions till differences are settled.

Mr Patel said that the party will continue discussions on remaining in the government and a final decision would be taken “no later than” Wednesday. It will also consult leaders in Maharashtra, where the NCP is a major partner in the Congress-led coalition government.

The other UPA allies — the Trinamul, DMK and the National Conference — have not yet commented on the issues raised by Mr Pawar about the functioning of the UPA and the government. The NCP wants allies to be consulted on policy issues first.

‘Do something’, sonia tells Praful Patel

Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan’s camp alleged that the NCP is trying to project its ally as “corrupt”.

However, the AICC’s line appears a little different as Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was heard asking NCP leader Praful Patel, half in jest, to “do something” to end the crisis at the tea party during the farewell for outgoing President Pratibha Patil.

It drew an instant reaction from BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, also chatting with the Congress chief, who told Mr Patel — “Don't do anything” — leaving him literally speechless.