Congress-Nationalist Congress Party Merger Talks Intensify in Maharashtra

Talks of a merger between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) have intensified in Maharashtra politics. However, talks are said to be limited to the Maharashtra unit. The NCP (SP) leadership is trying to reach a consensus on the merger within the party. According to sources, once things are settled at the Maharashtra level, a final seal will be put between the top leadership of the two parties in Delhi. Talks are at an early stage. The issue has not been officially announced by the two parties. The top leadership of the two parties discussed the issue even before the Maharashtra assembly elections. However, due to preparations for assembly elections in the state and political equations, talks on this issue could not move forward. Both the Congress and the NCP (SP) have been longtime allies in Maharashtra politics. If the talks of a merger between the two parties in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance go ahead, then there may be an impact on the political equations in Maharashtra.