No possibility of tie-up with Shiv Sena, says Congress
New Delhi, Aug 3 : As Shiv Sena continues to take potshots at BJP, the Congress does not appear keen on any alliance with it for the Lok Sabha or assembly polls with top party sources saying that talks can be held only with "like-minded and ideologically aligned parties."
Congress sources said the party was not likely to forge alliance with a party whose ideology is not aligned with its thinking.
"There will not be an alignment between their ideology and ours," the sources said.
Shiv Sena has been taking divergent stance from its ally BJP on several issues. It had boycotted the no-confidence motion against the Modi government.
Congress sources said the vision of Prime minister Narendra Modi was "fundamentally flawed" and the Opposition will take on the BJP on several issues including corruption, unemployment, rise in non-performing assets of banks, farm distress, demonetisation and flawed implementation of GST.
The sources said Congress will come up with a new vision in the 2019 elections.
They said it was "a manufactured idea" that Modi can not be defeated and that the BJP-led NDA government had looked invincible in 2004 too.
The sources said that the no-confidence debate in Parliament in which Congress President Rahul Gandhi hugged Modi showed to the country "who was Pappu."
About four states going to the polls later this year, the sources said if tickets are given to the right people, the party will win. They said the leadership will ensure that all leaders fight harmoniously and there is no infighting.
Party sources also referred to apprehensions among some opposition parties over use of EVMs.
The sources said there was a need for change in Congress also and a transition is taking place slowly.
They said the Congress will continue to be a mass-based party with a group of dedicated people running it.
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I enjoy being a finisher for my team: Ashutosh Sharma
Jaipur (PTI): Delhi Capitals batting all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma said he relishes his role as a finisher after his side snapped a three-match losing streak with a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in an IPL match here.
Ashutosh struck an unbeaten 25 off 15 balls, hitting four boundaries, as Delhi successfully chased down a daunting 226-run target with five balls to spare on Friday.
"I enjoy being a finisher for my team. The team has trusted me to bat in these situations and I enjoy playing in these moments. I always feel that as long as I am at the crease, I can win the game for my team," Ashutosh said at the post-match press conference.
Chasing a stiff total, Delhi were laid a solid foundation by KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka, who stitched together a 110-run opening partnership.
"In T20 cricket nowadays, a lot depends on the opening partnership and the powerplay. Our openers played really well and because of that we were in the game throughout and could take it till the end," Ashutosh said.
Delhi’s overseas pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Kyle Jamieson had earlier set the tone by removing Rajasthan's explosive openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi inside the first two overs.
"We wanted to get their opening partnership out early, as they have been doing well in previous matches. That was our plan and it worked, which was good for us."
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals batting coach Vikram Rathour admitted that poor execution with the ball cost his side the match.
"The bowlers couldn't execute their plans again today. 226 we felt was enough on this surface, they should have been able to defend that.
"When you are defending that kind of total it is important to have a good powerplay. We gave away lots of runs and didn't take any wicket," he said.
Despite the defeat, Rathour drew positives from the batting effort, particularly the response after the early loss of openers. Skipper Riyan Parag led from the front with a 90 off 50 balls, while Dhruv Jurel contributed 42.
"We were consistently getting good starts. Both our openers were doing well for us in every match. So, this was the first time that both got out early. So as a team, I think it was important how we came out of that situation and how we played.
"The way Riyan and Jurel batted at that time, the partnership they built, and the way Donovan finished it, it was really good to see," Rathour said.
