Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule on Friday, 10 July categorically ruled out any alliance between her party and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), dismissing days of intense speculation about a potential political realignment in Maharashtra. Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Sule also declared that the possibility of a merger between the two NCP factions is firmly off the table.

What Triggered the Speculation

The rumours gained momentum following a meeting between NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, compounded by reports of an encounter between party leader Jayant Patil and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Vinod Tawde. Adding fuel to the fire, claims circulated that several NCP(SP) lawmakers were growing uneasy about the party's political direction.

Sule moved swiftly to quell the noise. 'Nobody is talking to us, and we are not talking to anyone. The question of aligning with the BJP has not even crossed our discussions,' she said. 'These news reports are strictly confined to newspapers and television channels.'

On the NCP Merger Question

Sule drew a firm line on the prospect of reconciliation between the two factions that emerged from the NCP split. While acknowledging that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had previously expressed a desire for reunion and that some discussions had taken place, she indicated those overtures have run their course. 'That chapter is now closed. We are moving forward on our path, and they are on theirs. Currently, there are no talks of a merger between the two NCP factions,' Sule stated.

Sule Refutes Congress Claim of Internal Discord

Senior Indian National Congress (Congress) leader and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had claimed that some NCP(SP) lawmakers were disgruntled — an assertion Sule firmly rejected. 'All our MPs are in regular contact. We meet frequently, discuss strategies, and there is absolutely no resentment or dissatisfaction within the party,' she emphasised.

On the cross-party meetings that sparked conjecture, Sule noted that on 7 July she had already downplayed the significance of the Patil-Tawde interaction. She pointed out that shared parliamentary committee assignments make routine contact with BJP leaders unavoidable — citing over 21 such interactions in the past month alone with various committee members, including the BJP president, for administrative rather than political purposes.

On Political Currency and the Road Ahead

Taking a lighter tone amid the scrutiny, Sule invoked her father's counsel. 'Sharad Pawar always says that if you are being discussed — whether for good or bad reasons — it means your political currency is still strong and sound,' she said. She also noted that rumours about her own purported oath-taking ceremonies have surfaced repeatedly over the years.

When pressed on the party's prospects of returning to power, Sule signalled a combative posture. 'People have been speculating about us for the last 12 years,' she said. 'If the current governance continues as it is, the NCP(SP) and our allies will have no choice but to fight hard and seize power. God knows what this government will do next.' The statement signals that NCP(SP) intends to consolidate its opposition identity rather than seek accommodation with the ruling coalition.