NEW DELHI: Amid renewed speculation about a merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed that 20 to 22 MLAs from the Sunetra Pawar-led faction could break away.Speaking to reporters, Raut said the meetings between NCP legislators and party founder Sharad Pawar were more than casual interactions, suggesting that political realignments could be underway.He also alleged that NCP legislators had been reduced to “being slaves” following the death of Ajit Pawar, PTI reported.“20 to 22 MLAs of Sunetra Pawar’s party can break away anytime….If they return to their parental home (Sharad Pawar-led NCP), then it is not a merger. Or they may join some other party before the polls,” Raut said.Earlier on Tuesday, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that any merger involving the NCP factions could not take place without consulting the BJP.Responding to the remark, Raut said it did not apply to Sharad Pawar’s party.
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Raut also criticised the Maharashtra government over the controversial election for the chairman’s post at Kolhapur-based Gokul Dairy, saying the developments were detrimental to democracy.NCP leader Rajesh Patil, a candidate backed by the ruling Mahayuti alliance was elected chairman on Tuesday after the state government nominated four additional directors with voting rights to the dairy’s board.Raut alleged that the move helped the ruling alliance overturn the result of last month’s board election, in which the panel led by Congress MLC Satej Patil had secured a majority.He accused Mahayuti ministers of stooping to a low level during the episode and warned that “all days are not same in politics”.