Sharad Pawar's NCP signals support for Delimitation Bill with conditions

Further strengthening speculation that Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) could move closer to the BJP-led NDA, party working president and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule on Wednesday said the party would support the Centre's proposed delimitation Bill if it provides for a 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states.

Sule said the party's stand had remained unchanged and that it would back the legislation only if the proposed amendment was incorporated.

"If the Union government amends the delimitation Bill by bringing a 50 per cent increase in seats, then we will support it. This is not something new that I am saying. We have always maintained that we will support the Bill if these amendments are brought. There is no change in our stand," she said.

She added that the party had not yet received the proposed Bill and would discuss it with INDIA bloc partners once it is introduced. Sule also said the Centre should present the delimitation formula and explain how constituencies would be redrawn.

According to her, the demand for a 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats had earlier been supported by several Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress and the DMK.

Her remarks come amid reports of internal discussions within the NCP (SP) over its political future and speculation that some legislators are in favour of joining the BJP-led NDA.

Dismissing reports of an imminent political realignment, Sule said no proposal to join the NDA or merge with the Nationalist Congress Party was before the party.

"Nobody has asked about this, nor have any of our leaders expressed the desire to switch over. All stand united with Sharad Pawar and will follow every decision to be taken by Sharad Pawar," she said.

She also sought to play down speculation over the party's alleged proximity to the BJP after NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday.

Patil said he met the chief minister to discuss the proposed disqualification of the chairman of the Islampur Municipal Council and denied that the meeting was linked to any political realignment. He also rejected reports of merger talks with the ruling NCP, saying no such discussions had taken place and reaffirmed his support for Sharad Pawar.

The political speculation has intensified after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, with party sources indicating that some NCP (SP) leaders believe remaining in the Opposition has made it difficult to secure development funds and administrative clearances for their constituencies.