NCP chief Sharad Pawar meets PM Modi for nearly an hour

New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital for nearly an hour on Saturday fuelling speculations about the political situation in Maharashtra. Prime Minister's Office or PMO tweeted a photo of their meeting, which also took place after speculation a few days ago that Sharad Pawar could be the presidential candidate. However, the NCP chief rubbished these speculations.

According to the party leaders, the NCP chief Sharad Pawar met PM Modi in connection with amendments made by Center in Banking Regulation Act to limit rights of cooperative banks.

Party chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said, "Rumours are being spread over the meeting but Pawar had already informed CM Thackeray and Congress leaders about the same."

Pawar met PM Modi by formally seeking an appointment, Malik said.

The Rajya Sabha lawmaker called on PM Modi a day after he met defence minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader AK Antony for an "informal interaction" on the border situation with China and Pakistan and also the current scenario in Afghanistan.

The meeting between Sharad Pawar and PM Modi also comes two days before the monsoon session of Parliament is set to begin on July 19.

On Friday, the newly-appointed leader of Rajya Sabha and Union minister Piyush Goyal held consultations with NCP chief Sharad Pawar along with former prime minister Manmohan Singh and senior Congress leader Anand Sharma ahead of the monsoon session, government officials said.

Union parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi has called an all-party meeting at 11 am on July 18 in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be present, news agency ANI reported citing people familiar with the matter.