From left, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders Aaditya Thackeray, Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar, Bhaskar Jadhav and others during a press conference at Shivaji Bhavan ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly session. (PTI Photo)On the eve of the Maharashtra Budget session, cracks within the Opposition came to the fore after leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Pawar (NCP- SP) stayed away from a joint press conference of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOThe press conference, addressed by leaders of the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and the Indian National Congress, was meant to project Opposition unity ahead of the session beginning Monday. The absence of NCP SP leaders has raised questions over the cohesion of the three party alliance.At the start of the briefing, Shiv Sena UBT MLA Bhaskar Jadhav said there had been some miscommunication and that NCP-SP leaders would join shortly. They did not.When contacted, NCP-SP leader Jitendra Awhad said he was occupied with the preparations for the first general body meeting of the Thane Municipal Corporation scheduled for Monday. “There was no intention to purposely not attend the Opposition press conference. I could not go because of pending work,” he said.Jadhav said senior NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil had prior commitments. Sources close to Patil said he was in his constituency in Sangli district.However, sources within the NCP-SP linked the absence to continuing speculation over a possible merger between the Sharad Pawar led faction and the ruling NCP led by late Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar.“There is no clear indication about the future of our party. Nobody knows what is going to happen in the coming days. There is uncertainty whether we should take an aggressive Opposition line or wait for the merger and become part of the government,” said a senior leader.Story continues below this adAnother MLA described the party as being in limbo. “There is no clarity on how we move forward. It is better not to make public comments at this stage. The party looks without a leader,” he said.Leaders of NCP-SP have claimed that a merger between the two groups had been finalised earlier and was to be announced on February 12. The ruling NCP had dismissed the claims, saying no such proposal was under consideration.Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Nationalist Congress Party