Rumours of NCP (SP) merging with Congress or joining NDA being spread to destabilise opposition: Party state chief

Pune: NCP (SP) state president Shashikant Shinde on Saturday said the rumours about his party merging with Congress or joining the NDA were being spread to destabilise the opposition against the backdrop of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs switching to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.“We are constantly hearing such rumours since the monsoon session of the assembly started, but there is no truth in it. Considering the current political scenario, our focus is on building a stronger opposition in the state, raising issues of public interest and holding the govt accountable,” Shinde said.Speculations are rife after the second split in Shiv Sena (UBT) that Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) might merge with Congress or join the NDA to avoid a similar split in the party.

“Such speculations are aimed at disturbing the grassroots workers of our party. All our MPs and MLAs continue to remain united and the party workers need not pay much attention to these rumours,” Shinde said.Amid the growing unease among the party workers over these speculations, Shinde visited Pune and held a meeting with the party functionaries of the district. He said NCP (SP) would undertake a statewide programme from Aug 15 under which party seniors would visit every district to strengthen local units.

Shinde said, “Important leaders of our party, including all MPs and MLAs, will be given the responsibility of visiting various districts from Aug 15. We will make some organisational changes to strengthen our party unit in every district.”Criticising BJP over the Ram temple donation row in Ayodhya, Shinde said his party would support the statewide “Ram Raksha ” agitation called by Uddhav Thackeray. He said, “After forming a govt using Lord Ram’s name for political benefit, BJP has indulged in corruption. BJP is involved in a similar act in Ujjain and even in the ongoing work for Kumbh in Nashik. People are angry with BJP for using religion for its gain. We will raise our voices against it.

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