Modi phones Sharad Pawar in hospital; Praful Patel, Parth Pawar visits fuel talk of NCP merger

Maharashtra politics is abuzz again, this time over the health of Nationalist Congress Party senior leader Sharad Pawar and the discussions that followed. Pawar was admitted to hospital a few days ago after his condition worsened. He was discharged after treatment and returned to his home, Silver Oak, in Mumbai. Events from his hospitalisation to his return home have led political circles to speculate about a major shift.

While Pawar was being treated, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him directly to ask after his health. Modi is said to have told him, "Take care of your health and rest, Supriya and I will look after the country." Pawar replied warmly, "Yes, I am resting. With all of you there, I have no worry about the country."

The private conversation between the two leaders was made public by Vitthal Maniyar, a close associate of Pawar. Political corridors in Delhi and Mumbai have since read different meanings into it.

After Modi's call, there was also a stir in the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction). MP Praful Patel returned to Delhi after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and went straight to Breach Candy Hospital to meet Sharad Pawar. A video of their conversation during the meeting went viral on social media and news channels.

In the video, Pawar is seen telling Patel plainly, "We will sit together and discuss after the 10th." The date, 10 November, named by Pawar, is being seen as significant in Maharashtra politics. The remark has raised the question of whether, after the NCP split twice, talks are going on behind the scenes about the two factions coming together or merging.

Meanwhile, NCP leader Parth Pawar began meeting Sharad Pawar. After Pawar was discharged from hospital, Parth Pawar went to Silver Oak on two consecutive days to meet him. It is being said that this was not merely a courtesy call and that the two discussed in depth the future course of the two factions, political equations and the merger talk. Political circles are discussing whether the talks are aimed at closing the distance between the two factions or creating some new political development.

Other leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) have responded cautiously to the developments. Rajendra Pawar said that whatever decision the party chief takes on a merger will be final, and that he has no official information about it.

Given the growing number of meetings and the date Sharad Pawar himself mentioned, a major upheaval in Maharashtra politics is being predicted in the coming days. Modi's call, Patel's visit and Parth Pawar's two-day visit to Silver Oak appear to be parts of one chain. All eyes are now on what new equations emerge after 10 November.