India, Oct. 26 -- There will be no merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party, one headed by Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP) and the other by Sunetra Pawar (NCP). This was confirmed in two meetings held on Sunday morning: one of the NCP's core committee and the other with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

In the first meeting, at NCP president Sunetra's official residence, senior NCP leaders sought clarity on the possibility of a merger between the two factions amid intense speculation over a potential realignment. Sunetra made it clear that the party was opposed to any merger. The position was subsequently discussed at a meeting with Fadnavis, where NCP leaders also pressed for the finance portfolio to be returned to the pa...