The Nationalist Congress Party on Monday once again targeted its partner in Maharashtra, the Congress, and said the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin "is with us since our birth, we will never leave this issue".

"It is a matter of national interest. That is why we are always fighting against it. We were ousted from the party (Congress) because of that only," party spokesperson Praful Patel said in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra government was plunged into crisis when state PCC chief Ranjit Deshmukh reportedly issue an 'ultimatum' to the NCP to reconsider its stand on the foreign origin issue. Though Deshmukh later said he never issued any ultimatum, the war of words between the two parties continued.

Asked who would benefit more from the issue, Patel said, "We are fighting against both the Congress and BJP. It does not concern us who takes advantages of our issues."

He also said NCP chief Sharad Pawar's statement against Gandhi had no connection with the upcoming elections in five states.