When asked about Congress leader Digvijay Singh's remarks that leaders like Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee who were once part of Congress should merge into the parent party, Malik said that was not possible.
“Even though our ideologies are same, we (NCP) are a separate political organisation and will remain so,” he added. To a query whether senior leader Praful Patel will be relocated to Rajya Sabha as the seat from NCP quota is falling vacant after party leader Tariq Anwar's election to Lok Sabha, Malik said the decision will be taken once the election schedule is announced.
Patel lost to his BJP rival on the home turf Bhandara-Gondia seat in Maharashtra.
Malik also said that its seat-sharing ratio with alliance partner Congress in Maharashtra, where elections are expected to take place in October, will not change. He informed reporters that NCP has organised a public meeting in Mumbai next month to mark the 16th Foundation Day of the party.
Though the Day falls on June 10, NCP is likely to hold the meeting either on June 8 or June 9 because the legislature session will be in progress in the state during the weekdays.
