India, Nov. 9 -- NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday made it clear that he was not opposed to having the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) as part of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. Going a step further, he suggested to the Congress that it reconsider its position on an alliance with the MNS and not take any extreme step.

Pawar was responding to questions on the likelihood of the Congress' moving out of the MVA, as the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is set to join hands with the MNS for the local bodies elections starting from next month. "The Congress should refrain from taking an extreme stand and think about it," the 84-year old leader said. "We are having a meeting on Sunday, where this issue will be discus...