Tatkare claims NCP merger would have happened on Feb 12 had Ajit Pawar been alive

NCP state president Sunil Tatkare has claimed that had Ajit Pawar been alive, the merger of the party would have taken place on February 12 itself. According to Tatkare, Ajit Dada had informed him about it beforehand. He also reiterated that meetings on the merger had been held. Tatkare raised the merger issue once again today, prompting speculation in political circles.

Chhagan Bhujbal has claimed that Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil had discussed the merger. Tatkare said Bhujbal's claim is correct. He said Bhujbal had undergone surgery at Asian Hospital and that he had gone to meet him there. Tatkare said Ajit Dada and Jayantrao Patil had already met before that.

Tatkare said what Bhujbal says about a merger meeting having taken place is correct. He said Bhujbal may have joined the discussion from the hospital itself. He therefore does not think Bhujbal has said anything wrong.

Tatkare said the question is being raised as to why he did not speak on this after Ajit Dada's death. His reply was that he did not speak then, he is speaking now, and the question has no merit. He said he knows what to say and when. Tatkare made it clear that he will say more at the right time.

Tatkare also responded to a remark by Shinde faction leader Uday Samant. He said Samant was once his colleague in the NCP. According to Tatkare, Samant need not comment on what he should or should not say, as the two are on different sides. He said he never speaks about Samant's side and respects Eknath Shinde.

Tatkare asked what right others have to comment on what he said. He said Samant was a minister in the coalition government and that he had a small part in making him a minister. Tatkare challenged Samant to say so if that was not the case.