Pawar Won't Merge NCP With Congress Before Polls: Munde

Similarly, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, led by Lok Sabha member Raju Shetty, will also be a part of NDA soon, the senior BJP leader said

To a query on police booking Athawale over Indu mill violence, Munde said, "This is an attempt to silence the voice of opposition. We won't be cowed down by such tactics."

On reports of differences among the alliance partners over Madha Lok Sabha seat (where Pawar won in 2009), Munde said the issue would be sorted out amicably.

"The Mahayuti's seat distribution will be finalised by this month-end," he said.

Rashtriya Samaj Party leader Mahadeo Jankar, a part of the Mahayuti, said he wanted to contest from Madha, but "some people in the alliance have hatched a conspiracy against me". "However, I joined the alliance because of my faith in Munde and will abide by whatever he says," Jankar added.