Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has suggested that following June 4, there could be a possibility of certain parties aligning with the INDIA alliance or even merging with the Congress.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: The Congress veteran, however, said that everything will depend on the results of theabha elections which will be declared on June 4.  

In the latest developments regarding the Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan hinted at the possibility of regional parties joining the INDIA bloc or merging with the Congress after the results are declared on June 4. This statement came after NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar suggested in a recent interview that several Maharashtra regional parties might align more closely with the Congress in the future.

Chavan emphasized that the outcome of the polls would determine these potential shifts in alliance dynamics. He noted that if an INDIA alliance government is established at the Centre, some parties might seek to join or merge with the Congress to leverage the benefits of being in power. However, he also acknowledged that these scenarios depend on various factors and uncertainties surrounding the election results.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray responded differently to Pawar's merger remarks, asserting that Shiv Sena is not a "small party" and criticizing Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis for their comments on the issue. Thackeray also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that Modi's recent actions stemmed from fear of defeat.

The ruling Mahayuti coalition had its own take on the matter, with Chief Minister Shinde suggesting that Uddhav Thackeray had become "Congress-minded" and Fadnavis commenting on Sharad Pawar's perceived challenges in managing his party.

Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar's nephew and deputy CM, clarified that his uncle's statements were personal views and referenced the historical merger of Samajwadi Congress Party with Congress (I) in 1986 as a precedent for such realignments. He highlighted a past event where Pawar announced a merger, indicating that such political shifts are not unprecedented in Maharashtra politics.