‘Supriya is ready now’: PM Modi's call to Sharad Pawar fuels NCP merger buzz

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly telephoned NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday to enquire about his health, with the conversation drawing political attention after a close aide of the veteran leader claimed that Modi told him his daughter Supriya Sule was now ready to help take care of the country.

Vitthal Maniyar, a longtime associate of Pawar, said the Prime Minister called the 85-year-old leader following his discharge from Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune, where he had been admitted on November 2 after complaining of cough and chest pain.

According to Maniyar, Modi spoke warmly to Pawar and urged him to take adequate rest.

"Saheb, please take complete rest. Supriya is ready now. Supriya and we will take care of the country. You rest; this is my request," Maniyar quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Pawar reportedly responded that he was resting and had no concerns about the country's affairs as long as its leaders continued their work.

Neither Modi nor Pawar had independently confirmed the details of the conversation as of Wednesday evening.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Although the reported telephone conversation was described as a courtesy call, Modi's reference to Sule has attracted attention amid continuing speculation about a possible reunification of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Sule, the Lok Sabha MP from Baramati, remains a prominent leader of the Opposition INDIA bloc. Her possible inclusion in the Union Cabinet has also figured in political speculation in recent months.

However, there has been no official announcement or confirmation of any proposal for Sule to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

The timing of the reported conversation is significant because political discussions concerning the future of the NCP have intensified following the death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in January this year.

Ajit Pawar had split the party founded by his uncle Sharad Pawar in 2023 and subsequently aligned his faction with the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra.

The Election Commission later recognised Ajit Pawar's faction as the NCP, while Sharad Pawar's group adopted the name NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

𝗡𝗖𝗣 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿

The latest development comes against the backdrop of internal discussions within the NCP faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who assumed the position following her husband Ajit Pawar's death.

On Sunday, a delegation of senior NCP leaders met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and reportedly raised concerns about decision-making within the party.

The absence of Sunetra Pawar and her sons, Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar, from the meeting attracted attention in Maharashtra's political circles.

However, the party subsequently sought to put an end to speculation about an immediate reunification with Sharad Pawar's faction.

Following a core committee meeting in Mumbai on Monday, state NCP president Sunil Tatkare said the party would continue functioning under Sunetra Pawar's leadership.

"Merger with the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) has been ruled out," Tatkare said.

He acknowledged that the issue had figured in discussions with Shah but indicated that decisions concerning the party's future would be taken at an appropriate time.

The NCP has also sought the finance portfolio in the Maharashtra government, a responsibility previously held by Ajit Pawar.

𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Despite the speculation, Sule has continued her political activities as a senior representative of the Opposition alliance.

She participated in an INDIA bloc demonstration in New Delhi on November 1, where Opposition leaders raised allegations concerning electoral irregularities and the Election Commission's functioning.

Her continued involvement in Opposition politics contrasts with suggestions that she could join the Union government.

Sharad Pawar has also previously denied that formal merger negotiations were underway between the two NCP factions.

He acknowledged that discussions had taken place earlier between senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil and Ajit Pawar but subsequently ruled out joining hands with the NDA-aligned faction.

𝗣𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹

Meanwhile, Maniyar said Sharad Pawar's health had improved and there were no serious medical concerns.

The veteran politician was admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic on November 2 after experiencing a cough, congestion and chest discomfort.

He had recently visited drought-affected areas of Maharashtra before being hospitalised.

According to Maniyar, the medical examinations did not reveal any major complications, but doctors advised rest and observation.

Pawar was initially expected to leave the hospital on Tuesday, but his associates requested that he remain under medical supervision for another day.

He was discharged on Wednesday morning and subsequently left for Mumbai.

Maniyar said Pawar was experiencing some weakness but was expected to resume his activities after recovering.

While Modi's reported call has renewed discussion about the political future of the Pawar family, neither the conversation nor the recent meetings between NCP leaders and the BJP leadership establishes that a merger or change in political alignment has been agreed upon.