Sanjay Kakade says merger of the two NCPs is not possible, cites leaders' ambitions

Pune: Talk of a merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party factions has been doing the rounds in political circles for the past few months. Nationalist Congress Party leader Sanjay Kakade has now said the merger is impossible. He said the political ambitions of leaders in both parties, the number of aspirants for ministerial posts and the question of the national president's post would create several obstacles.

Kakade said his meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was only to extend Diwali greetings. According to him, neither the merger nor any other political subject was discussed. He also said that meetings within the Pawar family at Diwali are part of tradition, and that it is wrong to conclude from them that the two Nationalist parties will unite again.

According to Kakade, many leaders of both parties would want ministerial posts if a merger took place. With the number of posts limited, there could be a tussle among Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Supriya Sule, Parth Pawar and other leaders. He said differences would also arise over who becomes national president and who gets a place on the core committee. Kakade added that, given Sharad Pawar's role with regard to the BJP, it is difficult for the two parties to share one political ideology.

Kakade also dismissed talk that 20 to 22 Nationalist Congress Party MLAs are in touch with Sharad Pawar. He said there may be discontent in the party, but that does not mean leaders will leave it. He said important decisions of the party are taken with the consent of the core committee.

On Ajit Pawar's accident, Kakade said it is not yet possible to conclude that there was a conspiracy. But he demanded a thorough investigation so that the real truth comes out.

Responding to a sarcastic remark by Sanjay Raut on the merger talk, Kakade said Raut should merge his own party into theirs. He also gave his personal opinion that Sanjay Raut or Uddhav Thackeray could also come together with the BJP if given the right political offer.