NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule announced on Saturday that talks concerning a potential merger between the two rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions have ceased. According to Sule, these discussions came to an unequivocal halt after the death of her cousin, Ajit Pawar.
Speaking to reporters, Sule clarified that while merger discussions were active during Ajit Pawar's lifetime, with a date even set, his passing marked a definitive end to the matter for her and the party. She emphasized the profound personal impact of his death, stating, "The day my brother passed away, the merger issue came to a full stop for me and within our party."
No NDA Alliance Discussions, Says Sule
Sule also directly addressed and rejected recent speculation about her party, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), potentially joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). She stated firmly that no such discussions have taken place, questioning the basis of such rumors.
The Baramati MP stressed that her faction has received no communication whatsoever from the Ajit Pawar-led faction regarding a merger. "Not a single phone call, WhatsApp message, SMS, letter or email has come to me from anyone in the Ajit Pawar faction regarding a merger. Nobody has contacted me," she affirmed.
Personal Bonds vs. Political Considerations
Highlighting the distinction between personal relationships and political maneuvering, Sule spoke emotionally about her bond with Ajit Pawar. "For you, this may be a discussion or gossip. For us, these are emotions. Some things are done from the heart. My relationship with my brother was that of love and affection. He is no longer here. What is the point of discussing it now?" she remarked.
When questioned about potential discussions with Ajit Pawar's family, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Sule reiterated that personal ties should remain separate from political negotiations. She also declined to comment on statements made by senior NCP leaders from the Ajit Pawar faction, citing their experience and seniority.
Sule expressed frustration over persistent media inquiries about the merger, urging a shift in focus to policy matters such as the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Bill and the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. She further clarified that her meetings with Praful Patel were strictly related to parliamentary committee work, specifically the Finance Committee and the JPC on FCRA, and not political negotiations.