Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday said there was no final decision yet on the proposed merger of the two NCP factions. He noted that discussions are at a preliminary stage. Bhujbal said, "Both NCP factions coming together is a wish shared by many of us," but many questions still remain unanswered.

Market Mastery

Webinar by Vishal Malkan

Find the weak links

in your portfolio by Vishal Malkan

Amid renewed buzz about a merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions, Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday reportedly said there was no concrete decision on the proposed merger of the two NCP factions, with discussions still at a preliminary stage.

According to a report by TOI, Bhujbal said: "Both NCP factions coming together is a wish shared by many of us, but the question is how it can happen and who should take the initiative. There is no final decision yet. It is only discussions. We don't know what NCP (SP) wants."

The veteran NCP leader reportedly said any decision on the merger would require consultations with the party leadership and its allies in the BJP-led NDA.

Earlier today, Maharashtra minister Dattatray Bharne said no political discussions took place during a meeting at Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s residence in Pune, asserting that all party MLAs stand firmly behind her leadership.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting at the NCP chief's 'Jijai' residence, which was also attended by her son Parth Pawar and several party MLAs, Mr. Bharne maintained that the legislators had met solely to discuss drought-related issues in their respective constituencies.

"There was no party meeting or any political discussion on the merger. The party has not called any such meeting. Some of us happened to be here and met Sunetra Pawar. The discussion was mainly about the drought situation and the work that needs to be undertaken in our respective constituencies," he said.

NCP national president and deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar commenting on the merger buzz said the details would be revealed at an appropriate time. Responding to a question about the possibility of the two NCP factions coming together, Pawar told reporters in Baramati, “I know you people are more interested in the other issue. Despite that, I would like to tell you that you will come to understand things when the time comes.”