Prime Minister Narendra Modi today advised the NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) to join hands with Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde after Lok Sabha poll results instead of “dying by merging” with the Congress.

“A big leader here who is active for 40-50 years is worried after polling in Baramati (Lok Sabha seat). He says that after June 4, smaller parties, in order to survive, will merge with the Congress,” PM Modi said, without naming Sharad Pawar.

“This means the nakli NCP and nakli Shiv Sena have made up their minds to merge with the Congress,” PM Modi said, addressing an election rally in Nandurbar district of north Maharashtra.

“But instead of dying by merging with the Congress, come to Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde,” PM Modi said.

Reacting to the comments, Sharad Pawar said that he cannot ally with any person, party or ideology that does not believe in parliamentary democracy.

Mr Pawar emphasised that to maintain unity in the country, all faiths must be included and taken along.

“PM Modi’s recent speeches have been conducive to creating rifts among communities, which is dangerous for the country. Wherever things are not in the nation’s interest, neither I nor my colleagues will venture,” he said.

In the Nandurbar seat, the BJP has renominated incumbent MP Heena Gavi, who is pitted against Gowaal Padavi of Congress. The constituency will go to polls in the fourth phase of the general elections on May 13.