Downplaying speculation of a reunion, The NCP on Tuesday dismissed any possibility of the party coming together with the NCP(SP). Leaders from the Sharad Pawar camp however said they would accept any decision. "If the Pawar family is coming together, it is their internal matter. We have nothing to do with it. But as a party, the NCP has consciously taken the decision to be with the NDA at the Centre and with the Mahayuti in Maharashtra. The mandate that the people gave us during the assembly elections is to go with the Mahayuti," NCP state president Sunil Tatkare told The Indian Express on Tuesday. Speculation of the parties coming together was sparked following a possible reunion between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS. In last month or so, both Pawars have met a few times, including at Ajit Pawar's son Jay Pawar's engagement, and at meetings at Rayat Shikshan Sanstha and Vasantdada Institute. Tatkare said since the people of Maharashtra voted the Mahayuti into power, the NCP will stick to the alliance. ''There is no question of us changing our stand. NCP will remain with the Mahayuti. People want us to remain with Mahayuti. They voted us to be part of the Mahayuti. And we will remain with Mahayuti,'' he said. Senior NCP leader Praful Patel too echoed the same view. "NCP is part of the Mahayuti. The question of NCP aligning with any other part does not arise," he said. When asked about the two parties coming together, Baramati MP Supriya Sule said, "I haven't thought about it. Any such decision has to be taken by senior party leaders. Whatever decision Pawarsaheb takes will be acceptable to us. We are bound by his decisions." NCP (SP) leader and Sule's nephew Yugendra Pawar said, "I think our family should remain together. There shouldn't be any bitterness among us. When we debate, our thoughts could be different but that does not mean we should hate each other. In your views, you can differ but there should be no hatred or bitterness in it. There is strength in unity. United we stand, divided we fall." Yugendra said whatever the decision may be that the two Pawars take, it will be accepted by the party's rank and file. ''Whatever decision, our leaders take, we will accept it. If the two NCPs come together, I have no problem. If the two NCPs stay separate, I have no problem,'' he said. On Tuesday, Yugendra Pawar, who celebrated his birthday, met Sunetra Pawar and took her blessings. NCP (SP) leader Amol Kolhe too said he will abide by the decision taken by Sharad Pawar. ''His decision will be final for us,'' he said. He refused to comment on whether the two NCPs should come together. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut took a jibe at the Pawar family. ''Both the Pawars are already together. Did you see us sharing a platform with the Shinde Sena? We don't run any institutes like the Pawars do where they can share a stage," he said.
