Merger talk between two NCP factions cools, but buzz grows of Sharad Pawar's party joining NDA

Talk of a merger between the two Nationalist parties gathered considerable pace over the past two weeks. Discussions took place in Mumbai, Pune, Baramati and Delhi, but no one moved the merger forward. The talks proved inconclusive. A new turn has now come.

It is being said that even if there is no merger, Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party is exploring the option of joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). It is claimed that the party could join the NDA even without a merger. According to sources, Sharad Pawar's party could join the ruling NDA as a separate party. This, too, is only talk for now. The reason given for these discussions surfacing is that the BJP wants to convene a special session before the winter session to pass the women's bill and the delimitation bill, for which it needs a majority.

Information is emerging that the Nationalist party in power sounded out a merger. The office of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar contacted some MLAs and sought their views on a merger. All aspects were considered, including the party's position after a merger, the political standing of senior leaders, the organisation, responsibilities and leadership. It is being said that both sides are sounding out a merger.

Discontent among senior leaders in Ajit Pawar's Nationalist party has surfaced several times. After the plane crash involving Ajitdada, infighting within the party came out into the open. Senior leaders also went to meet Sharad Pawar afterwards. Amid all these developments, there are fears of a split in the ruling Nationalist party as well. Political analysts claim that this faction of the party is trying to find its place in power by going with Sharad Pawar's party. What is happening behind the scenes will become clear in a few days.

On Thursday in Delhi, MP Supriya Sule said plainly that talk of a merger came to a complete end after Ajitdada's death. However, information is also emerging that a meeting took place yesterday between Sule, Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal. It is also being said that if a merger happens, the united party could get good posts at the Centre too. All this is conjecture, and no official information has come out on the matter.