What is Congress afraid of on the merger of TMC and NCP? Politics heated up due to Sanjay Raut’s statement – Explainer

These days a new question is emerging rapidly in the country’s politics. Will the opposition parties leave their separate identities and return to a big political platform in the fight against BJP? This discussion which started from West Bengal has now reached Maharashtra. Amidst the internal tussle in Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the resentment of some MPs, there is speculation about merger with Congress. On the other hand, in Maharashtra too, similar speculations are being made about Sharad Pawar’s party NCP (SP).

Although no party has yet formally confirmed the merger, the recent statements of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) leaders have sparked a new debate in political circles. The question is, is the opposition moving towards a major reorganization before the 2029 contest or is it just a period of political speculation?

Can old allies return to Congress?

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut gave a new direction to this debate. He said that in view of the current political circumstances in the country, the parties formed after breaking away from the Congress should reconsider their future. Raut argues that Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee and K. Leaders like Chandrashekhar Rao had once created their political identity by separating from the Congress, but today when BJP has become the biggest political force at the national level, then the opposition should focus on unity instead of disintegration. He said that if Congress becomes stronger, its allies will also become stronger and the fight against BJP can become more effective.

Why is initiative expected from Sharad Pawar?

Taking the name of Sharad Pawar specifically, Sanjay Raut said that if any leader has the ability to bring opposition parties on one platform, then it is Sharad Pawar. In Maharashtra politics, Pawar is considered an expert player of coalition politics. He has long experience in bringing together parties with different ideologies. This is the reason why his name is being taken first in the discussion of opposition unity.

Why did Nana Patole’s statement increase the stir?

The political discussion intensified when senior Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole claimed that Sharad Pawar’s party had earlier proposed to merge with the Congress. Patole said that amidst the debate going on in the country regarding constitutional institutions and democratic values, parties with secular ideology should come on one platform. According to him, thinking in this direction is developing at the national level. However, after this statement of Patole, NCP (SP) immediately distanced itself and the party leaders refused any formal merger proposal.

Is such discussion going on regarding TMC also?

The effect of the ongoing debate in Maharashtra is visible even in West Bengal. Some political analysts believe that due to the increasing challenges within the Trinamool Congress and the changing equations in national politics, new discussions have started regarding its relations with the Congress. However, Trinamool Congress has not publicly indicated any possibility of merger with Congress. Yet his name is constantly being included in the debate on opposition unity.

What did Supriya Sule say?

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule gave a very balanced response on this issue. He did not comment directly on the possibility of merger, but did say that in a democracy every person has the right to express his opinion. Sule talked about respecting Sanjay Raut’s suggestions, but refrained from giving any clear indication on any future political direction.

Why did BJP call Congress a ‘sinking ship’?

BJP has given a sharp reaction to the discussions of opposition unity. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described Congress as a “sinking ship” and said that no sensible leader would decide to join such a party. Fadnavis claimed that even if opposition parties come on one platform, it will not cause any harm to BJP. According to him, this may increase political opportunities for BJP.

What counterattack did Congress make on BJP?

Responding to BJP’s criticism, Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal said that BJP itself has become the biggest threat to the existence of regional parties. He alleged that BJP destroys the political identity of allies by weakening them. The Congress leader said that regional parties should also pay attention to this aspect while thinking about their future.

Is a new script of opposition unity being written?

Political experts believe that at present the merger discussions are more a part of a strategic message than an actual political process. The opposition parties want to signal that they are ready to form a broad front against the BJP. But on the other hand, regional parties do not want to take the risk of losing their independent identity. This is the reason why on one hand there is talk of unity, while on the other hand any party is avoiding confirming the merger.

After all, what will be the next step of the opposition?

At present, there is a lot of speculation about the relationship between Congress, TMC, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT). But it is clear that the possibility of major changes in opposition politics cannot be ruled out before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Now it will be interesting to see whether these discussions remain limited to political rhetoric only or whether some major restructuring begins among the opposition parties in the coming months.