“Ours is a small party and needs more time and effort to reach out to the public, particularly after delimitation. The Congress has no problems as it has a large network and can launch its campaign the day its candidates file nomination papers,” he said, pointing out that other political parties were already campaigning.

“There wouldn’t have been a problem if the elections had been held as per the old constituencies, but delimitation means extra efforts are needed to reach out to voters,” he said after the annual general body meeting of the Maharashtra Olympic Association.

“An early decision by the Congress (on seat-sharing) can help the NCP launch its campaign,” Pawar said adding that he was not worried about the numbers regarding seat-sharing. He stressed the “winning ability of the alliance candidate” in deciding it.

He said the main objective should be to keep the BJP out of power and reiterated his plans of holding discussions with the Left parties “The Parliament session will begin soon. I will hold discussions with Left leaders during the session, but cannot guarantee the outcome of the talks,” he said.

“The NCP had a pre-poll alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra. It would be better to continue it but everything depends on the Congress,” he said.

Pawar said nothing should be read into Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal calling on Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. “I had personally suggested Bhujbal to keep political differences away from personal relations, as taught by former chief minister Y B Chavan. Bhujbal had (last year) agreed to my suggestion to withdraw the defamation case against Thackeray and the Sena chief had responded with the meeting invite,” Pawar said.