India, Nov. 20 -- Days after declaring that it would contest the BMC elections on its own, the Mumbai Congress now wants to tie up with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and other smaller allies. On Monday, city Congress president Varsha Gaikwad and senior leaders met the NCP (SP) president and expressed this desire.

The development comes at a time when Pawar has already advised the Congress not to be adamant about not joining hands with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Congress insiders claimed that Pawar was upbeat about forging an alliance with the party.

Gaikwad said that the Congress' discussions with the NCP (SP) were underway. "Pawar's NCP has always been our ally, and it is our heartfelt desire to continue thi...