Bhujbal says Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil discussed NCP merger in his presence

Talk of a merger of the two Nationalist parties is gaining pace. Senior NCP leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal has now made a significant claim on the issue, saying the merger has been discussed before.

According to Bhujbal, the talks on the merger between Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil took place in his presence. He said he told them both that Ajit Pawar was providing good leadership and that they should come together. Bhujbal claimed the discussion lasted about 40 to 45 minutes.

Recalling the occasion, Bhujbal said he had undergone an operation and was unwell when Jayant Patil came to meet him. Within five minutes, Ajit Pawar also arrived. Bhujbal said he told Jayant Patil that everyone should come together. Patil replied that Bhujbal was in power with the NDA and asked whether his ally would accept this. Bhujbal said he answered that the party president was Ajit Pawar, who would look into it, and that the founder president was Sharad Pawar, with whom talks would also be held. Bhujbal said nothing happened after that.

Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar has also reacted to the talk, saying the right decision would be taken at the right time. Bhujbal repeated this, saying Sunetra Pawar had told them the right time would come and she would speak then. He added that she would decide after taking them into confidence.

On the merger speculation, Bhujbal said there was this much truth in what the media were showing, but a "merger, merger" game was currently going on. In his view, both sides should play as a team. He said one of them goes and holds talks while the cricket is on, whereas everyone should sit together and talk, not in pieces. Bhujbal said he only watched television and then heard whatever meaning was drawn from it.

On meeting Sharad Pawar, Bhujbal said he too had gone to see Pawar and that there was nothing wrong in going to ask after his health. He said there had been two leaders in his life: Balasaheb Thackeray, who is no more, and Sharad Pawar, who is now in another party. All others, he said, are leaders of allied parties. Bhujbal said it was not yet known whether everyone would join the NDA or go to the INDIA bloc.

Bhujbal said he had two mentors in life, Balasaheb and Pawar. He said he has a relationship with Pawar and maintains ties even with rivals in politics. He extends Diwali greetings to him. In his view, Pawar is the state's most senior and most mature leader. Bhujbal said he is glad when anyone comes together, just as everyone was pleased when the Thackerays reunited. He said Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal were there in building up the NCP, while others came later and some took votes. Bhujbal said plainly that it would be a pleasure if old acquaintances came together.