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NCP merger buzz revives as Parth Pawar, Praful Patel meet Sharad Pawar in Delhi. Then a denial
Pawar-Modi, Shah-Sule and Patel-Parth meetings over the past week reignite speculation, even as both factions rule out a reunion
Parth Pawar and Sharad Pawar. (Express File Archive)
Even as the top leadership of both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has repeatedly dismissed speculation over a reunion, a series of high-level meetings involving leaders from the two camps and the BJP has kept merger talk alive in Maharashtra’s political circles.
The latest round of speculation was triggered by a string of meetings in Delhi over the past week. It began after NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by his daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule.
The meeting came a day after Pawar met students protesting against the Centre at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and days after the NCP (SP) announced that it would support the Centre’s proposed Delimitation Bill if concerns over equitable representation were addressed, fuelling fresh political speculation. Following the meeting, the NCP (SP) said Pawar had urged the Prime Minister to intervene in what he described as a deepening farm crisis.
A day later, Sharad Pawar met Rajya Sabha MPs Praful Patel and Parth Pawar of the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP, further intensifying speculation over a possible rapprochement between the two factions.
Subsequently, on Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held separate meetings with leaders of both NCP factions in Delhi. Shah met NCP (SP) MPs Supriya Sule and Bajrang Sonawane, besides Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare.
The meetings have fuelled political chatter despite categorical denials from both camps. Responding to reports of a possible merger, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday dismissed the speculation, saying there was “no question” of the two factions joining hands.
The speculation comes against the backdrop of increasing political buzz that a section of the NCP (SP) is open to a realignment with the BJP. The Indian Express had earlier reported that BJP leaders were exploring political options ahead of the next phase of Maharashtra politics, although neither the BJP nor the two NCP factions acknowledged any formal talks on a merger.
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BJP insiders have suggested that if the NCP (SP) were to align with the NDA, the BJP would prefer such a move to happen through a reunification of the two NCP factions rather than as a separate alliance. None of the parties involved has publicly confirmed such discussions.
Despite the flurry of meetings, leaders from both factions have maintained a studied silence on the issue while consistently denying reports of merger talks.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar reiterated that neither he nor his party would join the NDA.
Speaking in Mumbai, Rohit Pawar said Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Modi to raise the concerns of students protesting in Delhi. He also said Supriya Sule’s meeting with Amit Shah was linked to invitations for the wedding reception of Revati Sule and Sarang Lakhani, scheduled to be held in Delhi on August 10, which is expected to be attended by Union ministers and Members of Parliament.
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“Sharad Pawar will not go with the NDA. Most of the MLAs and MPs from our side are ready for the fight. I have remained with the people and with his principles, and I will continue to fight in the future as well. I will not join the NDA,” Rohit Pawar said.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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