No Merger Proposal Received, Says Supriya Sule
The idea of merging regional parties with the Congress reportedly gained traction after a proposal was discussed at a Congress meeting in New Delhi, suggesting that parties that originally emerged from the Congress fold could be invited to rejoin.
Mumbai: Amid speculation over a possible merger between the NCP (SP) and the Congress, NCP (SP) working president and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule on Saturday firmly denied any such discussions. She said neither the Congress nor any other political party had approached the NCP (SP) leadership with a merger proposal. Her remarks come amid growing speculation over the Sharad Pawar-led party's future strategy and the Opposition alliance's roadmap ahead of the 2029 elections. Ms. Sule also accused the BJP of systematically weakening Opposition parties through political interventions and defections.
The idea of merging regional parties with the Congress reportedly gained traction after a proposal was discussed at a Congress meeting in New Delhi, suggesting that parties that originally emerged from the Congress fold could be invited to rejoin. Following this, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut advocated strengthening the Congress by bringing together regional parties such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the NCP (SP) under one umbrella to take on the BJP.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur on Saturday, Ms. Sule said no one had approached NCP founder Sharad Pawar, State president Shashikant Shinde, senior leader Jayant Patil, or any party MLA or MP regarding a merger. “No one has approached us regarding a merger. We have also not contacted anyone about it. We do not know how this speculation started,” she said.
Asked about reports linking the merger speculation to developments within the TMC and a recent meeting between Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee at the former's residence, Ms. Sule said she was unaware of the details of their discussions.
“I do not know exactly what was discussed in the meeting between Mamata Didi and Sonia ji. Neither of them has spoken to me about it,” she said.
When asked whether any political leaders were in touch with the NCP (SP) regarding a merger, Ms. Sule said: “I do not know who is in contact with whom. No proposal has come to Sharad Pawar, nor has Sharad Pawar given any proposal to anyone.”
The Baramati MP also compared the TMC's current situation with the splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP. “What is happening with the Trinamool Congress is no different from what happened to the Shiv Sena and the NCP. First, the Shiv Sena was split and then the NCP. Now, they are trying to split the Trinamool Congress,” she said.
Taking a dig at the BJP, Ms. Sule said her party had never indulged in the practice of breaking political parties or families. “The Trinamool model is no different from what happened to the NCP and the Shiv Sena,” she said.
Responding to Congress leader Nana Patole’s claim that the NCP (SP) had already proposed a merger with the Congress, Ms. Sule dismissed the assertion saying neither Sharad Pawar nor she has any idea about such a proposal,” she said.
On Mr. Raut’s suggestion that the NCP (SP) merge with the Congress, Ms. Sule struck a conciliatory note. “Sanjay Raut is like an elder brother to me. Every elder brother has the right to offer suggestions and guidance. Therefore, he has every right to give us suggestions,” she said.