MUMBAI: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Monday ruled out any merger with the NCP led by Sunetra Pawar or a shift towards the BJP-led NDA, saying his party would instead strengthen itself and fight as an independent political organisation.Pawar made the remarks at a meeting of the party’s senior leaders and office-bearers in Mumbai, amid months of speculation over a possible reunion of the two NCP factions and a subsequent political realignment.Addressing the meeting, Pawar said, “Our state president, while speaking earlier, used a sentence saying that there are some discussions going on among us. As the party president, I want to make it clear that the discussions are about strengthening the NCP under the leadership of Sharad Pawar.”Speaking about the speculation surrounding a merger of the two NCP factions, Pawar said, “If you want to come close to us, then those who want to come should come into our party. We will not join anyone else and our party will fight as an independent party.”Pawar’s remarks came amid persistent speculation that the NCP (SP) could merge with the faction led by Sunetra Pawar and subsequently join the NDA. The speculation had intensified after Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prompting discussions about a possible political realignment in Maharashtra.The comments effectively ruled out the possibility of the NCP (SP) joining another political formation, while signalling that the party would focus on strengthening its own organisation.Pawar’s statement also appeared to be a message to the rival NCP faction that any possible reunion would have to involve it joining his party.The meeting, attended by party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers from districts and talukas, also discussed the drought situation, alleged irregularities in the MPSC examination process and issues surrounding the SIR exercise.Pawar said the party had held a core committee meeting on Sunday and finalised its demands on the drought issue. “We will press the government on these demands within two to four days. We do not want a conflict, but if our demands are not met, we will take to the streets in protest,” he said.Pawar criticised the state government’s decision to declare drought in 265 talukas, saying several areas had been left out and banana growers had not been provided assistance.Recalling his tenure as Union agriculture minister, Pawar said former prime minister Manmohan Singh had convened a meeting during a drought and delegated powers to MPs to take decisions on relief.He cited the example of assistance announced for sweet-lime orchards after he found that the crop had not been covered by existing aid.Pawar also asked party workers to prepare for the growing use of artificial intelligence in politics and elections, urging them to understand how the technology could be used for election management, outreach and strengthening the party organisation.
