Mumbai/Lucknow, Feb 3 : Congress Party held a brain-storming session with one of its allies, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), to chalk out a strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Manikrao Thakre, President, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, told reporters that suggestions were made from both the sides.

"We have had our first meeting of Congress Party and NCP to contest parliamentary elections in alliance. Both sides had elaborate discussions in the meeting. We also made our points while some suggestions have also come from the NCP," said Thakare.

The Congress team comprised State chief Ashok Chavan, former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Minister of Power Sushilkumar Shinde.

The NCP side consisted of deputy chief Chhagan Bhujbal, NCP state unit chief and also the former deputy chief R R Patil among others.

The NCP, which contested in 22 seats of Maharashtra in 2004, is now demanding a 50 per cent share from its ally the Congress.

Political parties are gearing up for the elections following the Election Commission’s indication that the elections would be held sometime between April 8 and May 15.