Maharashtra / BJP and NCP are two ends of a river: Maha minister Nawab Malik

New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The meeting came barely two days before the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted a picture of Pawar and PM Modi, but shared no details of their conversation.

In a tweet, Sharad Pawar said, "Met the Hon. Prime Minister of our country Shri Narendra Modi. Had a discussion on various issues of national interest."

The NCP chief's meeting with the Prime Minister has come a day after he held talks with the newly-appointed Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal, and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

NCP leader and Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik confirmed that Sharad Pawar is in Delhi for the past two days. Piyush Goyal had paid him a courtesy call and he also met Rajnath Singh, said Malik.

Talking about the meeting with the Defence Minister, the NCP leader said, "Former Defence Minister and senior Congress leader AK Antony and Army Chief General MM Naravane were also there. Govt informed them about the situation at border, important discussion was held regarding their experience as ex-Defence Ministers to deal with such situations."

Downplaying rumours that Pawar is in touch with Maharashtra Opposition leaders, Nawab Malik clarified, "Many people are trying to mislead. It's being said that Maharashtra opposition leaders met Sharad Pawar in the background (of his meetings with PM and Defence Minister). It's false that there has been a meeting between Pawar sahab and Maharashtra opposition leaders in Delhi."

When asked whether NCP is in talks with BJP for a potential alliance, he asserted, "BJP and NCP are two ends of a river, the two can't come together as long as there is water in the river. We are completely different, ideologically and politically."

The meetings have come two days before Parliament's Monsoon session starts on Monday.

A veteran leader widely recognised for his political acumen, Pawar is the main architect of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra and is seen as a lynchpin for any future opposition alliance against the BJP.

The 80-year-old veteran leader is also known for his warm relations with politicians across party affiliations.