Fadnavis calls Congress a 'sinking ship', says opposition merger will only help BJP
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis turned the opposition merger buzz into a BJP talking point — arguing that any consolidation of regional parties into Congress would only clear more political space for the ruling alliance. With NCP (SP) leaders contradicting each other over whether merger talks even exist, the opposition's disarray is doing the BJP's work for it.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on 12 June called Congress a 'sinking ship' and said any opposition merger would benefit the BJP .
Fadnavis targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut , questioning his standing to initiate merger talks.
Congress MLA Nana Patole claimed a merger proposal from Sharad Pawar had already been submitted but was delayed.
NCP (SP) State President Shashikant Shinde flatly denied receiving any merger proposal, saying the topic was not discussed at Silver Oak .
BJP leaders Chandrakant Patil and Girish Mahajan also mocked the opposition, with Patil claiming BJP dominance for the next 20 to 25 years .
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, 12 June dismissed speculation over a possible merger of opposition parties with the Congress, asserting that any such consolidation would ultimately hand a political windfall to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai to mark 12 years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, Fadnavis launched a sharp broadside against the opposition, mocking its leadership and strategic coherence.
Fadnavis on the Merger Speculation
Deploying a Hindi idiom to underscore his dismissiveness, Fadnavis said: 'Regarding the merger talks, all I can say is Begani shaadi mein Abdullah diwana (getting excited over someone else's business).' He took a direct swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who has publicly championed the idea of opposition consolidation. 'A person who belongs neither to the Congress nor to the NCP is initiating these discussions, and everyone starts debating it,' Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister argued that regional party leaders are too politically astute to tie their futures to a weakening Congress. 'The leaders of these regional parties are smart. They will not step onto a sinking boat. Congress is a sinking ship, and I don't believe they will climb aboard,' he remarked.
Why the BJP Sees a Win Either Way
Fadnavis framed the merger debate as a no-loss proposition for the ruling alliance. 'If they do merge, it is our gain, not our loss. It opens up massive political space for us. The more the opposition retreats and dissolves its individual identities, the more additional space becomes available to the BJP. We are simply in a wait and watch mode,' he said. Senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil echoed the sentiment, claiming the party faces no real challenge from Gram Panchayats to the Lok Sabha and is 'set to dominate for the next 20 to 25 years.' BJP minister Girish Mahajan extended sarcastic 'best wishes' for the proposed merger, remarking that Rahul Gandhi and Sharad Pawar would 'make a great team.'
The Opposition: Conflicting Signals
The speculation intensified as the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) — NCP (SP) marked its 27th foundation day, triggering a flurry of contradictory statements. Senior Congress leader and MLA Nana Patole claimed a merger proposal had already been tabled. 'A proposal to merge the NCP with the Congress was submitted by Sharad Pawar earlier, but it faced delays due to certain reasons,' Patole told reporters. He added that a nationwide consolidation of like-minded parties was underway, with both the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the NCP (SP) reportedly weighing mergers as part of a broader secular front strategy.
However, NCP (SP) State President Shashikant Shinde flatly denied any such development. 'We have never received a merger proposal from Congress. Had there been any such development, the senior leadership would have definitely informed us,' Shinde stated. He further noted that the topic did not feature on the agenda at a recent party meeting held at Pawar's Mumbai residence, Silver Oak.
Raut's Push and Sule's Caution
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has been the most vocal advocate for a unified opposition, urging Sharad Pawar to lead the rebuilding of an 'Akhand Congress' (United Congress). 'A formidable and robust Congress is essential as an alternative national choice. Since this sentiment is gaining momentum across the nation, it would progress smoothly if a senior leader like Sharad Pawar takes the initiative,' Raut argued.
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule responded with measured caution. 'Sanjay Raut always voices his opinions very candidly in the interest of the nation. In a democracy, everyone has the right to express their views. As my elder brother, we will certainly take note of his suggestions,' Sule said, stopping well short of endorsing the idea.
What Comes Next
The contradictory signals from within the opposition — Patole confirming talks, Shinde denying them — reflect the deep internal fault lines that any merger attempt would need to bridge. With Maharashtra's political calendar growing busier and the BJP projecting confidence, the pressure on opposition parties to either consolidate or clarify their positions is likely to intensify in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
' he preemptively deflates any momentum it might generate. Yet the real story is the contradiction between Patole and Shinde: if the NCP (SP)'s own state president doesn't know whether a merger proposal exists, the opposition's internal communication is broken before any talks have formally begun. Raut's role is also worth scrutiny — his enthusiasm for an 'Akhand Congress' is conspicuous for a Shiv Sena leader, and the BJP is right to point out the irony. The BJP's confidence may be warranted in the short term, but a genuinely unified secular front — however improbable today — would be a different calculus entirely.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Devendra Fadnavis say about the opposition merger talks?
Fadnavis dismissed the merger speculation on 12 June, calling Congress a 'sinking ship' and arguing that any consolidation of regional parties into Congress would only open up more political space for the BJP. He said the ruling alliance was in a 'wait and watch' mode.
Why is there speculation about an opposition merger in Maharashtra?
The speculation was triggered by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's public appeal for opposition parties to merge with Congress and form a unified secular front, coinciding with the NCP (SP)'s 27th foundation day. Congress MLA Nana Patole added fuel by claiming a merger proposal from Sharad Pawar had already been submitted.
Has the NCP (SP) confirmed merger talks with Congress?
No. NCP (SP) State President Shashikant Shinde flatly denied receiving any merger proposal from Congress and stated the topic was not on the agenda at a recent party meeting at Sharad Pawar's residence, Silver Oak. This directly contradicts Congress leader Nana Patole's claim.
Who is Sanjay Raut and why is Fadnavis targeting him?
Sanjay Raut is a Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. Fadnavis questioned his standing to broker opposition mergers, noting that Raut belongs neither to Congress nor to the NCP, making his advocacy for an 'Akhand Congress' politically incongruous.
What is the BJP's broader position on the opposition's political future in Maharashtra?
Senior BJP leaders including Chandrakant Patil and Girish Mahajan have projected overwhelming confidence, with Patil claiming the BJP faces no real challenge from Gram Panchayats to the Lok Sabha and is set to dominate for the next 20 to 25 years. The party views opposition fragmentation as an opportunity rather than a threat.
