India, July 5 -- Amid the growing speculation about the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP)'s talks with the Congress regarding a merger, it has emerged that a majority of the former's MLAs and MPs are in favour of joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) instead. Party insiders said that this preference was revealed during an internal survey.

The NCP (SP) is also reportedly seeking two ministerial berths as part of any deal with the NDA, one in the Maharashtra government and the other at the Centre. The insiders also divulged that only two MLAs and two MPs expressed reservations about joining the ruling alliance and were in favour of merging with the Congress.

The NCP (SP) currently has 10 MLAs, eight Lok Sabha MPs and one Rajya Sa...