Nagpur, Nov. 14 -- Dismissing ongoing political speculation, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday clarified that Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar's meeting with him was strictly related to official administrative matters and had no bearing on any proposed merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis firmly rejected reports suggesting backchannel talks for a reconciliation between the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led faction, stating that the Mahayuti alliance partners have received no formal communication regarding any such development.

"Sunetra Pawar had come to meet me regarding official government work. There was no discussion whatsoever about the ...