Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 18 : Maharashtra Congress MLA Nana Patole said that NCP(SCP) Legislative Party leader Jayant Patil has denied quitting the INDIA bloc amid speculations about a merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party factions.
Nana Patole called the merger of NCP factions an internal matter of the parties, stating that Congress does not need to worry.
Patole told ANI, "I spoke to Jayant Patil myself yesterday. He said they wouldn't leave; they would remain with the INDIA bloc. That is what he told me. These are merely speculations. Since that is what he said, I feel there is no reason to discuss it further. Since this is just speculation, there is no reason for us to get into it. Whether it concerns the Ajit Pawar faction or the Sharad Pawar faction, these are internal party matters. I don't think the Congress needs to agonise over them."
The rumours gained traction after late-night meetings in Mumbai between NCP(SCP) leader Jayant Patil, ruling NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, and CM Devendra Fadnavis. The Sharad Pawar-led party has said that the meetings were for administrative matters, not political realignment.
NCP(SCP) chief Sharad Pawar chose to stay quiet amid reports of a possible split within his party's ranks, firmly deflecting the speculation by stating, "That's not the subject to talk about right now."
The NCP(SCP) patriarch's guarded response marks a notable shift in tone from June, when he asserted that while rival factions like the Shiv Sena (UBT) had fractured, his own camp remained entirely intact, declaring, "Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have split, but none of our MPs will split."
Separately, there is chatter that the NDA is looking to bring Pawar's faction on board to get the numbers needed for the Delimitation Bill in the Lok Sabha.
Notably, the party's working president, Supriya Sule, has rejected any alliance, merger, or backdoor negotiations with the NDA.
In a post on X, Sule clarified that the party had held no official discussions with any media organisation regarding the delimitation issue. She asserted that the party's position is formulated only after internal consultations and discussions with the INDIA bloc.
"Recent reports appearing in sections of the media regarding the stand of the Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar (@NCPspeaks) on the issue of delimitation are inaccurate and speculative. I wish to clarify that neither I nor the party has had any official discussion with any media organisation on this subject. As with every issue of constitutional importance, our party's position is determined only after detailed consultations within the party and with our allies - India alliance. Therefore, any reports attributing a definitive stand to us are without basis," said Sule.
The NCP leader further stated that it would be inappropriate to comment on any proposal until the Centre formally tables the revised delimitation legislation in Parliament.
"It would be inappropriate to comment on any proposal until the Government formally places the revised delimitation legislation before Parliament. Since no such Bill has yet been made available, any speculation regarding its contents or our position would be premature," added Sule.