MUMBAI, July 9 -- NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday held an informal meeting with his party MLAs at the state legislature. He later met deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde at the latter's office in Vidhan Bhavan. The development created a buzz in political circles as Shinde not only met Pawar but also felicitated him at his Vidhan Bhavan office. Pawar's meeting with MLAs was also held in Shinde's chamber. Pawar was at Vidhan Bhavan-where the monsoon session of the state legislature is underway-to attend a meeting convened by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on the border dispute with neighbouring Karnataka. The meetings assume significance amid speculation over the NCP (SP)'s political roadmap, including discussions of a possible alliance with the BJP and merger talks with the Congress. By holding a meeting with party MLAs, NCP (SP) insiders said Pawar wanted to send a message that his flock is intact and rallying behind him. "All the MLAs were asked to assemble at Shinde's office, where the meeting took place. It was also attended by all the MLAs except Rohit Pawar, who was in Dombivali on official party work. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government assured Marathi-speaking people in the border areas with Karnataka that the government would continue to fight for their rights both legally and politically. Fadnavis said the state would move the Supreme Court for an early hearing of the interstate boundary dispute by filing a fresh application and, if required, appoint senior legal experts to represent Maharashtra. Fadnavis said Maharashtra's MPs would raise the issue of the rights of Marathi-speaking people before the National Commission for Linguistic Minorities, with the state government compiling and sharing relevant information with them. He added that the government would once again write to the Union home minister, seeking a meeting of three ministers each from Maharashtra and Karnataka to resolve issues through dialogue while the court case continues....