In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil dismissed rumours about his faction joining the NDA, clarifying that a recent meeting with Devendra Fadnavis was strictly regarding constituency issues. Despite acknowledging that opposition legislators face challenges in securing development funds from the state government, the representative confirmed there are no plans to switch alliances. The discussion also highlighted a major political revelation, confirming that confidential merger talks between the two divided NCP factions were actively taking place before the tragic death of a prominent leader in a January air crash. However, these merger discussions have since been completely abandoned. Addressing the party’s national leadership offering conditional support for the NDA government’s delimitation bill, the MLA noted it stems from a focus on parliamentary reservation policies, though internal concerns remain regarding the economic burden of increasing the number of elected representatives. Ultimately, the political group maintains its current stance, ruling out any immediate shift to the ruling coalition or departure from the opposition bloc.