Sharad Pawar-Led NCP(SP) MPs Meet PM Modi, Reject Speculation Over NDA Entry, Delimitation Bill

New Delhi, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Amid speculation that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) could join the NDA, a delegation of the party’s MPs led by Baramati MP Supriya Sule met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and said the discussion focused entirely on Maharashtra’s developmental and public-interest issues.

The meeting, which lasted around 20 minutes, came against the backdrop of political speculation over a possible realignment involving the NCP(SP). Shirur MP Dr Amol Kolhe and other party leaders, however, said no political issue was discussed during the interaction.

Kolhe said the delegation raised demands concerning infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, employment and cultural recognition. At the beginning of the meeting, Modi enquired about the health of veteran leader Sharad Pawar and praised his political journey, work ethic and dedication to public life.

Among the demands was a request to confer the Bharat Ratna on social reformers and cultural figures from Maharashtra — Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe and Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj.

Beed MP Bajarang Sonawane sought the release of water from Ujani Dam into the Manjara Dam in view of drought conditions. The delegation also sought an increase in the constituency quota under the PM CARES Fund for financial assistance to patients requiring critical medical treatment.

MPs Suresh (Balya Mama) Mhatre and Kolhe urged the Centre to expedite its decision on naming Navi Mumbai International Airport after late leader D.B. Patil, following a proposal from the Maharashtra government.

The MPs also sought faster progress on the Nashik-Pune high-speed railway, Pune-Nashik Metro, PM Gati Shakti projects in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, JNPT port expansion and the Kalyan-Murbad railway line. Other issues raised included cancer treatment infrastructure, pollution in the Chandrabhaga River and onion prices affecting farmers.

Kolhe separately highlighted severe traffic congestion and damaged roads in the Chakan Industrial Zone, where he said 19 fatal accidents had occurred despite a sanctioned Rs 59-crore road repair tender.

Sule told reporters that no political discussions took place. She said disruptions in Parliament had made direct communication with the Prime Minister necessary to place urgent constituency and public grievances before him.

Kolhe said political differences should not prevent constructive dialogue on Maharashtra’s development.

Rejecting speculation over an NCP(SP) entry into the NDA or support for a proposed Delimitation Bill, Kolhe said the meeting had no political agenda. He said the delegation presented Modi with a traditional Mahatma Phule pagadi, an uparna and a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj holding the Rajdand, describing the symbols as representing the progressive tradition of Shivaji, Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar.

“If anyone has doubts, they should look at the video of our meeting. No political topics or discussions regarding joining the NDA took place,” Kolhe said.

He also said speculation over a Delimitation Bill was premature because no such Bill had been introduced in Parliament.

Development Demands from Beed

Sonawane said he submitted a detailed list of demands covering agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and employment.

He sought immediate settlement of pending claims for 2025-26 under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and reintroduction of the add-on insurance cover from the 2026-27 season. He also sought seasonal and mobile schools for children of sugarcane workers and measures to create local employment.

His proposals included targeted support for agro-based industries, food processing, MSMEs and skill development, along with faster construction of the Dharashiv-Beed-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway route and special central funding for major national highway projects in the region.

Sonawane also sought approval for a medical college and super-speciality health centre in Beed and a 50-bed critical care block in Ambajogai. Other demands included expanding Farmer Producer Organisations, cold-storage and warehousing facilities, agricultural processing hubs, and infrastructure and amenities at religious and heritage tourism destinations in Beed through Union government schemes.

On the political speculation, Sonawane said the NCP(SP) remained firmly in the Opposition.

“We are not just 100 per cent, but 1,000 per cent committed to remaining in the Opposition,” he said.

He dismissed speculation arising from chance encounters with ruling coalition leaders during travel, saying such meetings were normal and should not be interpreted as evidence of political negotiations.

Meanwhile, NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said the party’s eight MPs would vote against the Delimitation Bill in the Lok Sabha.

The Prime Minister, according to Kolhe, listened to the delegation’s demands and assured the MPs that the issues would be examined for possible resolution.