Sanjay Raut reacts to NCP merger buzz, says talks have continued for two years

Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said speculation about a possible merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party NCP has been circulating for nearly two years but maintained that he trusts the public denials issued by senior NCP Sharadchandra Pawar leadersRauts remarks came amid renewed political speculation following recent meetings involving leaders from both NCP factions and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra FadnavisRaut says he trusts Supriya Sule and Jayant PatilSpeaking to reporters in Nagpur Raut said rumours about the reunification of the Sharad Pawarled NCP and the Ajit Pawarled NCP have surfaced repeatedly over the past two yearsTalk of a merger has been going on for two years but Supriya Tai and Jayant Patil deny it We trust them he saidHis remarks come as political circles continue to discuss the possibility of rapprochement between the two factions that split in 2023Sharad Pawar avoids commenting on merger reportsNationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar chief Sharad Pawar declined to comment directly on reports of a possible merger or internal differences within his partyWhen asked about the speculation the veteran leader saidThats not the subject to talk about right nowHis response contrasts with his earlier remarks in June when he firmly rejected speculation about divisions within his partyAt the time Pawar had asserted that while other parties had witnessed splits his party remained unitedShiv Sena UBT MPs have split but none of our MPs will splitSupriya Sule rejects merger and NDA alliance reportsNCP Sharadchandra Pawar Working President Supriya Sule also dismissed media reports suggesting a possible alliance merger or backchannel discussions with the National Democratic Alliance NDAIn a post on X Sule said reports regarding the partys position on delimitation and political realignment were speculative and inaccurateRecent reports appearing in sections of the media regarding the stand of the Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar NCPspeaks on the issue of delimitation are inaccurate and speculative I wish to clarify that neither I nor the party has had any official discussion with any media organisation on this subjectShe added that the party formulates its stand only after internal consultations and discussions with its INDIA bloc alliesSays delimitation stand will come after Bill is tabledSule also said it would be premature to comment on the proposed delimitation exercise until the Centre formally introduces the legislation in ParliamentIt would be inappropriate to comment on any proposal until the Government formally places the revised delimitation legislation before Parliament Since no such Bill has yet been made available any speculation regarding its contents or our position would be prematureMeetings fuel political speculationThe latest round of speculation gathered pace after latenight meetings in Mumbai involving NCP Sharadchandra Pawar leader Jayant Patil NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra FadnavisHowever leaders of the Sharad Pawarled faction have maintained that the meetings were related to administrative matters and not political realignmentJayant Patil has also denied reports suggesting any discussions on a merger between the two NCP factionsPolitical uncertainty continuesAlthough speculation over a possible reunion of the two NCP factions has resurfaced following the recent meetings senior leaders from the Sharad Pawar camp have consistently denied reports of any merger or alliance with the NDAWith the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to begin and Maharashtras political landscape remaining fluid discussions over opposition unity and possible political realignments are likely to continue in the coming weeksWith inputs from ANI