The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule on Wednesday dismissed speculation that Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) could join the BJP-led NDA. Addressing a press conference, the NCP (SP) MP clarified that the party may consider supporting the proposed delimitation bill if the Centre agrees to increase Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in every state by 50%.
The remarks come amid political buzz over whether the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party could extend issue-based support to the Centre on the contentious delimitation bill, which had failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in Parliament earlier this year.
Sule revealed that she attended an all-party meeting convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present to discuss the proposed legislation.
According to Sule, the government informed opposition leaders that it was considering a proposal to include a 50% increase in parliamentary and Assembly seats across all states. “The bill is still not with us. I can’t speak on the bill unless it is with us. We’ll study the bill when it comes and give our verdict,” she said.
She added that Amit Shah and Kiren Rijiju informed opposition leaders, including representatives from the Samajwadi Party, Congress and the DMK, about the proposal under consideration.
Sule also cautioned against carrying out delimitation solely on the basis of population, arguing that such an approach could disadvantage southern states.
Responding to speculation over NCP (SP)’s political future, Sule categorically denied any possibility of her party joining the NDA. “There are several rumours about us. All information is source-driven. Our party is being maligned. There is no question of us going anywhere. We are in INDIA alliance,” she said.
Her clarification comes amid reports suggesting that the BJP was attempting to secure support from regional parties for the proposed constitutional amendment.
The political discussion intensified after senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram alleged that the BJP was trying to win the backing of the NCP (SP) and the DMK for the proposed 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, which the Centre is expected to introduce during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
In a post on X, Chidambaram claimed the BJP was seeking crucial votes after recent political realignments strengthened the NDA’s numbers, though the ruling alliance still remains short of the two-thirds majority required to pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill.
Reports also suggest that while the Centre is keen to table the delimitation bill during the Monsoon Session beginning next week, it is likely to do so only after ensuring it has sufficient parliamentary support.