Responding to NCP leader Sunil Tatkare’s statement on the merger of the two NCP factions, NCP (SP) leader Anil Deshmukh said, “When Ajit Pawar was alive, both the parties had decided to come together and a date was also fixed. But, Ajit Pawar suddenly died in an accident. When the issue came up again, Sunil Tatkare had said that no such talks had taken place. Now I don’t know what has happened to him that he suddenly They are saying that there was a conversation. Why did he give the wrong statement two years ago? Now these questions arise.”
NCP will merge?
Meanwhile, amid speculations about the merger of the two NCP factions, NCP (SP) leader Anish Gawande said, “Leaders from any party can join us, they are welcome.” After meeting NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar in the hospital, Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council Sachin Ahir said, “We had a conversation. I have a long association with him. Pawar sahab has played an important role in shaping people like us. So, it was good to meet him. However, looking at Pawar sahab’s current condition – especially remembering how active he used to be – is quite sad.
We all told him, ‘Sir, please take some rest and reduce your visits.’ But he is not one to believe easily. You must have seen that he had to face some health related problems during his visit to the drought affected areas. Doctors say his condition is stable now, and we hope he will be released from the hospital soon and return home.”
The meeting will be held on November 10
So, in such a situation, is the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) moving towards merger with Sharad Pawar’s faction, or are senior leaders of Ajit Pawar’s party putting pressure on Sunetra Pawar and her son Parth Pawar for the leadership of the party? Recent political developments, including the meeting between Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel at Breach Candy Hospital, have brought these questions back into focus. During the November 5 meeting, Sharad Pawar told Patel that they can sit together after November 10. Patel replied that after that date he would be in Mumbai and was ready to meet whenever Pawar decided.
Although Patel says the meeting was only to inquire about Pawar’s well-being, the incident has given rise to fresh speculations about a possible political discussion between the two leaders. The merger question has also brought to the fore the differing views within the NCP.
What did Sunil Tatkare say?
Party’s state president Sunil Tatkare said that at present there is no discussion regarding merger. However, he also said that if Ajit Pawar had been alive, both the factions would have come together. He also indicated that the much-discussed date of February 12 for the merger could have been finalized had Ajit Pawar been present.
NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar claimed that the merger was certain and Ajit Pawar wanted the Pawar family to remain united. He questioned Tatkare’s changing statements, saying that less than ten days after Ajit Pawar’s (political) ‘end’, Tatkare had denied that any talks had taken place regarding the merger. Rohit Pawar indicated that there could be some political strategy behind these changing statements.
Politics intensifies from Delhi to Maharashtra
Meanwhile, reports of dissent within Ajit Pawar’s NCP have given a new twist to these developments. It is being told that six senior leaders including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse Patil and Dhananjay Munde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on November 2. Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar were not included in this delegation. According to reports, the leaders expressed concerns over collective leadership, discussions within the party and the growing role of Parth Pawar. However, the NCP denied any internal differences and said the meeting was pre-arranged.
PM Modi had talked to Sharad Pawar
Giving further fuel to political speculations, Sharad Pawar’s close aide Vitthal Maniyar said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called Sharad Pawar after he was admitted to the hospital. According to Maniyar, Modi told her: “Supriya and I will take care of the country. You take care of your health and stay strong to give us your blessings.”
This development has further intensified political discussions, although it does not indicate any political consensus among the leaders. Amidst the possible talks to be held after November 10, different claims over the merger and the uneasiness being seen within Ajit Pawar’s party, the NCP faces two important questions: will the two factions reunite, and who will lead the party in the post-Ajit Pawar era?
Also read:
Big news regarding NCP merger in Maharashtra, Sunil Tatkare-Praful Patel camp wants merger, Sunetra and Parth Pawar in protest.
SK Sharma is a content writer who writes on news, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. She has over four years of experience and is known for conveying information in simple and clear language.
