Amid delimitation Bill buzz, NCP-SP MPs meet PM Modi

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Maharashtra NCP (SP) president Shashikant Shinde said that the party had no objection to discussing the bill if the centre assured that it would not be misused for political gains. Separately, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar asserted that all NCP (SP) MPs would oppose the legislation in Parliament and none of the MPs would abstain when the bill was taken up for discussion.

The development assumes significance in light of Monday’s scheduled meeting between NCP (SP) MPs and the Prime Minister, and speculations about a possible rapprochement between the NCP (SP), which is part of the opposition bloc, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the BJP-led ruling coalition in the state and the centre.

There is also speculation that till a decision is reached on the reunion of the two NCP factions, the NCP (SP) may extend issue-based support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the centre.