Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 17: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leaders Jitendra Awhad and Jayant Patil met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai on Thursday, triggering speculation over the party's possible entry into the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The meeting, held at Shinde's Nandanvan bungalow, lasted for nearly an hour. According to sources, the leaders discussed possible power-sharing arrangements and portfolio allocation if the NCP (SP) were to join the NDA, which comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.

However, both Awhad and Patil dismissed reports of any political realignment, stating that the meeting was solely to discuss issues related to their respective Assembly constituencies.

Speaking to reporters, Jayant Patil said they had sought intervention regarding the disqualification of a municipal council president and had earlier raised the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"Regarding the matter of the councillor who won by 7,200 votes, a petition was filed and the Sangli Collector disqualified him. He has appealed against the decision. We felt the matter was not handled properly and therefore brought it to their notice," Patil said.

Speculation over the NCP (SP)'s future political course has intensified in recent weeks amid reports that the party could merge with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and join the NDA. There has also been speculation that the party may support the proposed delimitation Bill if it is introduced during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The rumours gained momentum after several NCP (SP) leaders met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in recent days.

However, the party's working president and Baramati MP Supriya Sule has firmly denied the reports, saying media speculation based on unnamed sources had created unnecessary confusion.

Sule clarified that after consulting party president Sharad Pawar and senior leader Jayant Patil, she wished to make it clear that no decision had been taken regarding support to the proposed legislation or any alliance with the NDA.

She added that the party's stand on the delimitation exercise would depend on the final proposal, noting that if it involved a uniform 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states, there would be little reason to oppose it.