The meetings came amid heightened political activity in the state, where recent developments have fuelled discussion over possible realignments ahead of key political events. However, NCP (SP) leaders moved quickly to dismiss the speculation, insisting that the meetings should not be interpreted as a sign of the party changing sides.

According to reports, Jayant Patil first met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before he and Jitendra Awhad later held discussions with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai. The meetings immediately sparked political debate, with opposition leaders and political observers questioning whether the Sharad Pawar camp was opening channels of communication with the ruling alliance.

Responding to the speculation, Jayant Patil categorically denied that the meetings had anything to do with joining the NDA. He maintained that political leaders often meet across party lines and said there was no proposal or discussion regarding a shift in the party's political position.

Jitendra Awhad also dismissed suggestions of any political deal, reiterating that there was no change in the party's stand. The NCP (SP) leadership has sought to project the meetings as routine political interactions rather than negotiations over a future alliance.

The latest developments come just days after similar speculation gathered pace following meetings involving senior leaders from different political camps. Recent statements by party leaders on national issues had already prompted discussions over whether the Sharad Pawar-led outfit was adopting a more flexible approach towards the BJP-led government on selected matters.

Political observers believe the meetings have assumed significance because of Maharashtra's rapidly changing political landscape over the past few years. The state has witnessed multiple realignments, splits within major regional parties and shifting coalition equations, making every high-level political interaction a subject of intense scrutiny.

Despite the growing buzz, neither the ruling Mahayuti alliance nor the NCP (SP) has indicated that any formal political negotiations are underway. Leaders from both sides have refrained from suggesting that an alliance is being discussed publicly.

For now, the meetings have added another layer of intrigue to Maharashtra politics without providing definitive answers. While speculation over future political equations is likely to continue, the Sharad Pawar-led faction has maintained that it is not preparing to join the NDA, attempting to put an end to the rumours generated by the high-profile meetings.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday, NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule said her party has received no formal proposal or arrangement regarding the Bill and would only announce an official position after studying the final draft once it's tabled — within 24 hours of that happening, she said. She dismissed the day's widespread media coverage, saying a report published in one newspaper that morning had been picked up and repeated across outlets without any actual confirmation from the party. She also firmly rejected separate speculation that NCP(SP) was moving toward formally joining the NDA, saying the party remains exactly where it has stood and isn't going anywhere.

The reports Sule was responding to had cited unnamed sources claiming NCP(SP) was likely to support both the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill during Parliament's Monsoon Session, which begins July 20 — while stopping short of formally joining the ruling alliance. The government is expected to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill during that session, proposing to raise the Lok Sabha's strength to 850 seats and set in motion the next delimitation exercise, a proposal that Congress leader P. Chidambaram has publicly urged both NCP(SP) and the DMK to reject, arguing the current delimitation formula would unfairly reduce parliamentary representation for states that have successfully controlled population growth.

Speculation had been fuelled further by a string of high-profile meetings in Mumbai on Tuesday. NCP(SP) state president Jayant Patil met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the CM's residence, shortly after Ajit Pawar-faction leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare had done the same. Sule addressed one particular flashpoint directly — reports that Sharad Pawar had been seen sitting in Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's cabin — explaining that Pawar had simply stopped there because he has difficulty walking long distances, and that Shinde had graciously stepped out of an ongoing Cabinet meeting to greet him.

Sule said she had proactively reached out to Congress state leaders Harshwardhan Sapkal and Satej Patil, along with Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut, to reassure Maha Vikas Aghadi allies before the speculation could cause confusion within the coalition. She urged the media to rely only on official, on-record statements going forward rather than anonymous sourcing.

Whether Wednesday's denial closes the story or simply delays it, the underlying dynamic Sule was responding to — persistent reports of NCP(SP) drifting closer to the NDA, run alongside her own on-record denials — has now repeated enough times this year that it's likely to resurface again once the Delimitation Bill's actual draft becomes public.