Supriya Sule Makes Key Remarks on NCP Merger

Amid renewed speculation about a possible merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule has made it clear that discussions on the proposed merger ended following the death of her brother, Ajit Pawar. She said the two factions had held discussions on the merger while Ajit Pawar was alive and had even finalised a date for the process. However, the matter came to an end on the day he passed away, she stated.

Supriya Sule said her party had made no announcement regarding a merger after Ajit Pawar’s death. She also clarified that she had received no phone call, message or letter from the Ajit Pawar-led faction on the matter and that nobody had contacted her. Responding to a question about the possibility of discussing the merger with Ajit Pawar’s family members, she said personal family relationships should not be mixed with politics. She also dismissed speculation that the NCP (SP) would join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).