No merger, no NDA: Supriya Sule

Mumbai: Amid ongoing intense speculation in Maharashtra's political circles regarding the potential merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions—Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP—the NCP (SP) Working President and MP Supriya Sule on Saturday categorically rejected any talk of a merger or joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Sule told reporters, "There is no discussion about joining the NDA. When there is no discussion, questions of commas or full stops do not arise. If the essay itself hasn't been written, why talk about it?" With these words, she put a firm full stop to all merger speculations.

Expressing her fatigue over the persistent rumours, Sule emphasised that the possibility of a merger died alongside her brother, Ajit Pawar.

"I am now fed up with these merger discussions," Sule said. "The discussions about a merger, and even fixing a date, existed only as long as my brother was here. The day my brother passed away, a full stop was put on the merger in my mind and in my party—a discussion that had taken place with party office-bearers and my Dada (Ajit Pawar), videos of which you all have broadcast," she noted.

She added, "As long as my brother was there, the merger was discussed. The day my brother left, the merger came to a permanent end. We haven't made a single statement since then. We didn't even counter the statements coming from the Ajit Pawar faction. Whatever future path was charted, it was charted with Ajit Dada. Some things come straight from the heart. Ask all your questions about the merger today and let's settle it once and for all. I will not speak on the merger hereafter; I am exhausted by these discussions."

"In a vibrant democracy, everyone has the right to express their opinion. However, I am folding my hands and requesting that we stop asking questions about a merger over and over again. I am tired of this subject, and I will not answer questions about it anymore."

Acknowledging past discussions, Sule stated, "Did my brother and senior leaders from our party discuss a merger? Yes, they did. Videos of that have also come to light. The discussions regarding a merger were ongoing as long as my brother was here, and a date for it had even been fixed. Leaders from both parties have acknowledged this."

Sule also firmly reiterated that the question of the NCP (SP) joining the ruling coalition does not arise, confirming that no proposal, phone call, or message has been received from the Ajit Pawar faction.

"The moment my brother passed away, the entire chapter was closed," she asserted.

When asked if any official proposal or communication regarding a merger had been received from the rival NCP camp, Sule firmly denied it, stating, "I haven't received any phone call, WhatsApp message, or letter from anyone in the Ajit Pawar faction. I can tell you clearly that nobody has met me regarding this. No discussions are happening, which is why I find all these ongoing speculations quite amusing."

Sule made it clear that her party pays no heed to statements or internal discussions happening within the rival NCP camp.

"After my brother passed away, we put a complete full stop to these discussions from our side. We have nothing to do with whatever discussions take place within the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. We do not comment on their reactions. The close bond between my brother and me remains, and that warmth will always stay," she concluded.

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