Maharashtra: No Proposal For Congress Merger, Says NCP(SP)
“Begaani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana”: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
MUMBAI: The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) [NCP (SP)] on Friday ruled out any merger with the Congress, dismissing speculation triggered by remarks made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. State NCP (SP) president Shashikant Shinde expressed surprise over the debate initiated by Mr. Raut, saying there was neither a proposal nor any discussion within the party regarding a merger with the Congress. However, he said NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had taken responsibility for strengthening the INDIA bloc.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took a swipe at Mr. Raut, saying, “Begaani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana.” He described the Congress as a “sinking ship” that “nobody wants to board” and asserted that any opposition party merging with the Congress would only benefit the BJP.
Meanwhile, sources in the ruling Mahayuti alliance claimed that several NCP (SP) legislators were in touch with the BJP. According to the sources, if these legislators were to join another party, they would prefer to align with the ruling alliance, particularly the BJP.
Mr. Raut, a Rajya Sabha member, said the Congress should emerge as a stronger political force and noted that Rahul Gandhi had been working towards that goal. Leaders who had left the Congress and subsequently formed their own parties should now consider rejoining it, he said.
“The NCP founder should take the initiative for such a merger. Sharad Pawar has followed the Congress ideology throughout his political life. He should take the lead in strengthening the Congress. It will help regional parties like us as well,” Mr. Raut said.
Senior Congress leader Nana Patole said Mr. Pawar had already suggested such a merger during the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Parties such as the NCP (SP) and the Trinamool Congress should merge with the Congress in the national interest, he added.
Rejecting the suggestion, Mr. Shinde reiterated that there was no proposal before the NCP (SP) regarding a merger with the Congress.
A senior Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leader said the possibility of regional parties merging with the Congress had been discussed at a Congress meeting in New Delhi as part of efforts to bring back parties that had originally emerged from the Congress. However, a senior NCP (SP) leader said the party had not received any formal proposal from the Congress so far.
Mr. Fadnavis questioned why a leader who belonged neither to the Congress nor the NCP (SP) was commenting on a possible merger. “I think all these parties and their leaders are very seasoned. The Congress is a sinking ship. Nobody boards a sinking ship. I do not think anyone from these parties will board it. As far as the BJP is concerned, if they come together, it is not a cause for worry because it will provide additional political space. However, I think nobody will board the sinking ship,” the Chief Minister said.
