No plans to induct NCP (SP) into NDA, says CM Fadnavis amid alliance buzz

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, where he had travelled for a meeting on projects in the Narmada river basin, Fadnavis said there had been no discussions on expanding the NDA in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Amid speculation over a possible realignment in Maharashtra politics, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday ruled out any move to induct the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) into the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also dismissed the speculation as “baseless”.

Mumbai, India - July 6, 2026: CM Devendra Fadnavis during monsoon assembly session at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai, India, on Monday, July 6, 2026. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times) (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, where he had travelled for a meeting on projects in the Narmada river basin, Fadnavis said there had been no discussions on expanding the NDA in Maharashtra.

“I can categorically state that no new political party from Maharashtra will become a part of the NDA,” he said. “The parties that are currently part of the alliance will continue to remain in it, and there have been no discussions about inducting any new party into the NDA.”

The clarification comes days after reports that BJP national secretary Vinod Tawde met NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule and senior leader Jayant Patil at a Mumbai hotel on Friday, fuelling speculation about a possible political realignment.

Asked whether the reports were being circulated by the NCP (SP) leadership to prevent defections, Fadnavis said the BJP had no plans to engineer a split in the party.

“We are not trying to poach anyone. We are not attempting to poach or split either the MLAs or MPs from Sharad Pawar saheb’s party,” he said.

According to sources, the NCP (SP) is seeking a significant share in power, including one of the top five portfolios in the Union cabinet and the induction of two of its senior leaders into the Maharashtra cabinet. The BJP was reportedly unwilling to concede these demands.

Sources also said the NCP (SP) was exploring the possibility of extending issue-based support to the NDA instead of formally being part of the alliance. Such support could include backing the proposed delimitation bill, for which the Centre would require a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.

Sule, however, denied any political meeting with Tawde. “I am not aware of whether any meeting took place between Jayant Patil and Vinod ji,” she said.

“As far as I am concerned, Vinod ji and I have met several times because we are members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on corporate laws. We have met on nearly 20 occasions in connection with the committee’s work. He was not alone; there are several BJP members on the committee, and I have interacted with all of them,” she added.

Last week, it emerged that a majority of the NCP (SP)’s MLAs and Lok Sabha MPs were in favour of joining the NDA. Party insiders said only two MLAs and two MPs opposed the idea, preferring a possible merger with the Congress if the party leadership decided to reassess its political strategy in the rapidly evolving political landscape in Maharashtra and at the Centre.