16 July,2026 06:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
NCP leader Sunil Tatkare rejected reports of internal disagreements within his party. File Pic
Maharashtra Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sunil Tatkare on Thursday dismissed speculation about a possible merger with the Sharad Pawar-led faction, saying no such discussions were currently underway, reported the PTI.
Tatkare said his recent meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was focused solely on development-related issues concerning his Lok Sabha constituency and not on any political realignment.
The NCP leader said he had sought an appointment with the chief minister earlier, but the meeting could not take place due to a BJP core committee meeting.
"My meeting with the chief minister was regarding the development works in my constituency. Several issues need to be discussed with the government, including matters related to the finance department," Tatkare said, according to the PTI.
The political buzz intensified after Tatkare, senior NCP leader Praful Patel and NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil met Fadnavis late on Tuesday night.
However, leaders from both NCP factions maintained that the meetings with the chief minister were held separately and were unrelated.
Tatkare said Jayant Patil, a senior politician and former finance minister, had already explained the purpose of his meeting with Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, as per the PTI.
"There is absolutely no connection between his meeting and mine," Tatkare said.
He added that Praful Patel had met Fadnavis to discuss certain matters before leaving for an overseas trip later that night.
Tatkare said discussions over a possible merger between the NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) faction had progressed earlier this year but stalled following the death of NCP president Ajit Pawar.
He said leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction had themselves indicated that merger discussions had ended.
"There is no fresh proposal before us. If such a proposal comes in future, we will express our views then," Tatkare said.
Tatkare also dismissed speculation that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP)'s reported support for the Delimitation Bill suggested it was moving closer to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
He said supporting legislation in Parliament did not automatically indicate an alliance shift.
"Supporting a Bill does not mean joining the NDA. Several Bills have been passed unanimously in Parliament in the national interest. Supporting legislation and becoming part of an alliance are two different things," he said.
Tatkare further rejected reports of internal disagreements within his party, which is currently led by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.
He said party leaders maintained political discipline and worked together to strengthen the organisation.
"We know political decorum. We work with mutual respect to strengthen the party. I am hearing about distrust within the party for the first time," Tatkare added, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
