Signalling possible shifts within the opposition ahead of the monsoon session, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule said on Wednesday that her party could back the government’s proposed delimitation bill if it guarantees a 50 percent rise in Lok Sabha seats across states.
Her comments followed reports that some NCP(SP) legislators were urging closer ties with the BJP-led NDA. Speculation has grown after several meetings between party figures and senior BJP and government officials in recent days.
As Parliament reconvenes on July 20, the Modi government is seeking a two-thirds majority for a new constitutional amendment to advance women’s reservation to 2029 and expand the Lok Sabha from 543 to around 850 members. The earlier version was defeated in April, with NCP(SP) and other INDIA bloc parties voting against it.
Sule told The Indian Express that the party would support the bill if amended to add 50 percent more seats, a position it has held consistently. Later at a press conference she clarified that no bill had yet been received and any decision would be taken collectively with INDIA allies after reviewing the full formula.
In a subsequent social media post she described media reports on the party’s stance as inaccurate and premature, stressing that positions on constitutional matters are set only after internal and alliance consultations.
She noted that the 50 percent increase demand had earlier been raised by several opposition parties including TMC, SP and DMK. When asked about crossover or merger rumours, Sule said no such proposal existed and all legislators remained united behind Sharad Pawar.
She also downplayed recent meetings, including one between state president Jayant Patil and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying open contacts with BJP leaders showed no secret alignment was intended. Patil separately stated his meeting concerned only a local municipal issue and denied any merger talks.
