The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) working president, Supriya Sule, on Tuesday refuted speculations about party chief Sharad Pawar shifting alliances towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She pointed to Pawar’s remarks made during his Sangola speech, emphasising that aligning with the BJP would conflict with the NCP’s core political values.
Addressing reporters, Sule stated, “Sharad Pawar has clearly articulated his stance in his recent speech and press conference. He asserted that the NCP would not merge with the BJP due to ideological disparities.” She further confirmed her discussions with leaders from the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), reassuring that there was no ambiguity about the party’s direction.
This clarification comes after Congress leader Nana Patole expressed concerns over a “secret” meeting in Pune involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar. Patole questioned the need for discreet meetings, especially between relatives, suggesting that such activities generated confusion among the public.
Sharad Pawar, however, rejected notions of any covert agenda. He clarified, “It wasn’t a clandestine meeting. What’s the issue with meeting my nephew, especially when it took place at a residence? I was present at his house.”
Patole also confirmed discussing these developments with Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT).