NCP(SP) MPs meet PM Modi, deny NDA shift

The Story in Brief

A delegation of eight NCP(SP) MPs, led by working president Supriya Sule, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to discuss Maharashtra-related issues including drought, irrigation, infrastructure projects, and farm loan waivers. The half-hour meeting, held at the PM's Parliament House office, came amid speculation that the Sharad Pawar-led party might support the Centre's delimitation exercise or align with the NDA. However, the MPs insisted no political discussions took place. Sule said the delegation had to approach the PM directly because disruptions had prevented them from raising these matters in Parliament.

Later in the evening, Modi, Pawar, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the wedding reception of Sule's daughter Revati, adding political heft to the image. This was the second meeting between the NCP(SP) and Modi in a month. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there was "nothing wrong" with the meeting, as the PM belongs to the entire country. The delegation also demanded Bharat Ratna for four social reformers and that the Navi Mumbai airport be named after late minister D Y Patil.