ALBANY— A breakaway group of state Senate Democrats is in talks to end their power-sharing arrangement with Republicans and return the body to Democratic control, The Post has learned.
Sources said Jeff Klein (D-Bronx), leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, has been huddling with Democratic leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins about a new power-sharing deal that would exclude the GOP.
“They have met a few times,” said one source. “The governor has reached out to both as well.”
The sources said in exchange for the reunification, the IDC wants Democratic leaders to discourage primary opponents from running against IDC members this fall.
The main sticking point at the moment is when the political marriage would take place.
There is a small window of time to meet the IDC demands since petitions for primaries must be filed by July 10.
A spokesman for the Senate Democrats declined comment.
The members of the IDC include Klein , Diane Savino (D-Staten Island) David Carlucci (D-Westchester) and David Valesky (D-Syracuse) and Tony Avella (D-Queens).
An IDC spokesperson dismissed speculation of the power shift.
“Every single one of our members is ready for a primary, the IDC will live on,” said IDC spokeswoman Jennifer Rainville.
Last month, Gov. Cuomo told leaders of the Working Families Party he would try to help restore the state Senate to Democratic control to get the party’s ballot line in November.