Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 14: Amid continuing speculation over a possible merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions, NCP (SP) Working President and MP Supriya Sule on Saturday categorically ruled out any merger with Ajit Pawar's NCP or joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Addressing reporters, Sule said there had been no discussion about joining the NDA and dismissed speculation surrounding a possible merger.
"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?" she said.
Expressing frustration over repeated questions on the issue, Sule said the possibility of a merger had ended with the death of her brother, Ajit Pawar.
"I am now fed up with these merger discussions. 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 said.
She reiterated that discussions had continued while Ajit Pawar was alive and that the proposed merger had even been discussed with senior leaders of both factions.
"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," she said.
Appealing to the media to stop repeatedly raising the issue, Sule said everyone had the right to express their views in a vibrant democracy but requested that questions about a merger be put to rest.
"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," she added.
Acknowledging that merger discussions had indeed taken place in the past, Sule said Ajit Pawar and senior leaders of her party had discussed the possibility, and even a date had been fixed.
"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," she said.
Sule also dismissed suggestions that her party was considering joining the ruling coalition, maintaining that no proposal or communication had come from the Ajit Pawar-led faction.
Asked whether she had received any official communication regarding a merger, she said, "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."
She further clarified that her party was not concerned with internal discussions or statements emerging from the rival NCP faction.
"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," Sule said.