``It is too early to say. I don't say no. I don't say yes,'' he told reporters here when asked if his party would support Congress minus Sonia Gandhi. Pawar's remarks assumed significance as they appeared directed at the Congress whose President Sonia Gandhi has attacked coalition governments in the past and declined to commit her party to power-sharing after the coming elections.

The NCP president said the time had come for political parties in the country to accept the concept of coalition politics as it was unavoidable now and cited cases of Kerala and West Bengal where coalition governments had been in power continuously. More so because the NCP hopes to be in a position to tilt the balance in favour of a particular party in the next Lok Sabha by aligning with it.

``We know, we are unable to form thegovernment. At the same time, I am sure that without the NCP, no government can be framed at the Centre. My effort will be to support political parties that have no affiliation to either BJP or Sonia form the government,'' Pawar told The Indian Express. Pawar felt that in view of its inability to provide a stable government, BJP will be nowhere near the majority. ``Secular parties will form the government with the help of NCP'' Pawar remarked.

On the series of reports in the media regarding a post election alliance between the NCP and BJP, Pawar said these reports were fabricated either by the Congress or BJP to garner Muslim votes. ``Once it is established that NCP is aligning with BJP, then Muslims will reject us. They will not succeed in their evil designs'' Pawar explained.

On the prospects of NCP in Maharashtra, Pawar said the electorate in the state had already decided to dislodge the Sena-BJP government ``on the basis of my assessment and also from my tour of rural parts of the state, I amsure we will get clear majority'' Pawar added.

Despite the tall claims of the alliance government, facts show that the Narayan Rane government has failed on all fronts. Whether it was the law and order situation, on the financial front or tackling strikes, there was lack of maturity in the decision-making process, Pawar averred. ``Underworld elements have gained full control over the administration, while the common people have lost faith in the government'' he added.

On shifting Sudhakarrao Naik from Lok Sabha to Assembly, Pawar said, it was purely on health ground. ``Naik expressed his inability to contest the Lok Sabha elections, hence, I decided to shift him to assembly''.

And he already has a list of people who would be chief minister in the event of the NCP gaining a majority in the state. ``We have Chhagan Bhujbal, Padamsinh Patil from the earlier generation and from younger lot, Jayant Patil is there. I am sure, we will form the government and restore the credibility of the state'' Pawarsaid.

`I don't say no'

PANAJI: Pawar today publicly indicated that his party might support a Congress-led government without Sonia Gandhi as its leader. "Let us see. It is too early to say. I don't say no. I don't say yes," he told reporters here when asked if his party would support Congress minus Sonia Gandhi.