Guwahati, July 17 -- The BJP has conveyed to its Maharashtra allies that only a reunited Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would be considered for entry into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), amid speculation that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) may soften its stand on the Delimitation Bill and eventually join the ruling coalition.

A senior BJP office-bearer familiar with the discussions said the party's central leadership has made it clear that it does not want to create uncertainty for its existing NDA partners in Maharashtra, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

According to the BJP leader, no breakaway faction of the Shiv Sena or the NCP will be allowed to join the NDA independently. Any faction seeking to ...