Maharashtra: BJP says NCP (SP), Sena UBT likely to merge with Congress

Fadnavis went further to state, “ Even in the past Sharad Pawar had formed new parties and later merged into Congress.”

On Tuesday, speaking to The Indian Express, Pawar had said, “ In the next couple of years, several regional parties will associate more closely with the Congress. Or they may look at the option of merging with the Congress if they believe that is the best for their party.”

Pawar’s observations coming in the middle of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections have set the tone for the political debate in Maharashtra and Delhi.

A senior NCP (SP) leader requesting anonymity said, “ For us Sharad Pawar’s word is final. We cannot make any more additions to his thought process. Once he brings the subject for discussion at our party meeting we will collectively express our views.But we have reasons to believe he had made such remarks keeping in sight the changing political dynamics across the country. And it is not meant for any specific party including our NCP (SP).”

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “ We have always looked up to Sharad Pawar who is amongst the tallest leader of the country. He is a leader with great vision. So, if he has said something to this extent it must be keeping long term politics in mind.”

Shinde Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam said the talks about NCP’s merger with Congress was there for sometime.

Nirupam said, “ A proposal to such an extent was also made by the Congress to undivided NCP. But it did not materialise.”

Nirupam, who was in Congress, had recently switched sides and joined the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.