Political circles in Maharashtra were abuzz with fresh speculation on Tuesday night after senior NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Jayant Patil and Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare were reportedly seen meeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Sources said Patil, regarded as a close confidant of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, held discussions with Fadnavis. Tatkare, a senior leader from the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, also met the chief minister.
According to sources, Patil and Tatkare were together during the interaction, although there has been no official confirmation of that claim.
None of the leaders involved has disclosed the agenda of the meeting or commented on the issues discussed.
The development has reignited political speculation in the state, with discussions ranging from the possibility of a rapprochement between the two NCP factions to a broader realignment of political alliances. However, neither side has issued any statement suggesting that changes in the existing political equations are under consideration.
The meeting comes amid continuing uncertainty over the future political strategy of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP). The party has recently been consulting its elected representatives as it weighs various political options and evaluates its next course of action.
Recent reports had indicated that the NCP (SP) was exploring the possibility of a merger with the Congress. The party has also been seeking feedback from its MLAs on different political scenarios.
The latest round of speculation follows a recent interaction between Sharad Pawar and NCP (SP) legislators at the office of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inside Vidhan Bhavan. Since Shinde's Shiv Sena is a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, the meeting had sparked speculation over possible political developments.
Leaders from both the NCP (SP) and the ruling alliance subsequently dismissed such interpretations, saying the meeting was incidental and should not be viewed as a sign of any political shift.
Meanwhile, reports have also suggested that Jayant Patil discussed with NCP (SP) MLAs the possibility of joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). According to reports, Patil sought to address concerns among party legislators and build consensus on the issue, although no final decision has been announced.
