The decision was taken in the light of a recent attack on Vimal Mundada during her election campaign in Beed and the threats given to candidates, often on behalf of the Chief Minister, in Rajapur and Sindhudurg, said NCP general secretary Gurunath Kulkarni.

The state EC has promised to look into the demands and consider them seriously, he added. Reports that Appa Salvi, local stalwart, was personally threatened by Rane prompted the NCP to take the issue to the EC, he said.

Meanwhile, the NCP has entered into a strange electoral arrangement with the Peasants & WorkersParty in Raigad district after failing to persuade the PWP to join the broad alliance of secular and like-minded parties. The Konkan belt, particularly Raigad district, is considered the stronghold of PWP.

Accordingly, the party's Ramshet Thakur for the Lok Sabha seat will be supported by the NCP and its allies, the Republican Party of India, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (secular) and Swatantra Bharat Paksha. The assembly constituency of Srivardhan, port town, will see a ``friendly fight'' between the NCP and PWP. Other assembly constituencies have been divided. The NCP will fight the Mahad, Mangaon and Karjat-Khalapur where the PWP will not field a candidate while neither party will contest the Pen, Panvel and Alibag consituencies. ``Under the circumstances, it was the best arrangement possible,'' said Kulkarni.