New Delhi/Mumbai: With the Lok Sabha elections nearing, political equations appear to be changing fast.

Days after senior NCP leader and Union minister Praful Patel sought to let BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi off the hook for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, it has emerged that the two parties have held secret talks.

As per reports in a Marathi newspaper on Friday, Modi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar – whose party currently is part of the ruling UPA at the Centre – met on January 17 for talks on possible alliance post General Elections due in May.

For now, NCP leaders including Pawar have sought to debunk the reports dubbing them false.