NEW DELHI, March 20 : Expressing anguish over the Congress leader, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh’s comments that the party can go it alone in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, the NCP leadership has urged the Congress leadership to stop partymen from making such statements that could jeopardise seat adjustments.

“Senior Congress leader Mr AK Antony had a telephone talk with Mr Pawar wherein our party chief has suggested that leaders like Mr Deshmukh should be advised against making any unwarranted remarks,” an NCP leader told The Statesman.

Mr Pawar clarified to Mr Antony that the NCP is keen on “realistic and workable” seat adjustments in Maharashtra. Mr Pawar attributed internal bickering within the Maharashtra Congress to Mr Deshmukh’s statement. “Deshmukh does not want the alliance as he does not want chief minister Mr Ashok Chavan to succeed. The internal frictions within Congress should not be reflected in NCP-Congress performance,” he said.