Tatkare in Pune to meet Sunetra Pawar, says she will decide on NCP merger

NCP state president Sunil Tatkare had made remarks on a merger of the party that set off a stir in political circles. Reactions have since come from both NCP factions, and there is talk of whether the NCP will merge. Tatkare has now arrived in Pune.

Tatkare will meet Deputy Chief Minister and the party's national president Sunetra Pawar today. The whole state is watching the meeting, and all eyes are also on whether the merger issue will come up.

MP Sunil Tatkare paid tribute at Ajit Pawar's memorial at Vidya Pratishthan in Pune. Speaking to the media afterwards, he made clear that he would meet Sunetra Pawar. Tatkare said, "I am going to meet Mai, so naturally I will meet Bhabhi too. I called Bhabhi yesterday and told her I was coming to Pune." He said he would meet Bhabhi after meeting Mai.

Asked about the merger, Tatkare said he was at a sacred memorial today and there was no need to make political statements there. According to him, Sunetra Bhabhi will decide on the merger. He said Sharad Pawar has been in politics for six decades, so whether to decide on a merger would be his own decision.

Tatkare also said he stays in his village during Diwali and is therefore not aware of recent developments. He said, "The merger issue is not even in front of us today, so I will not say anything on it. I am emotional and cannot speak today. But after discussing with Bhabhi, I will speak on this at the right time."

On hypothetical questions, he said it would not be right to comment. Tatkare said he has been in politics for 40 years and that today is a sensitive moment. In his words, "I am not dodging the question. I am the state president and will make no comment in this context. I am in a different frame of mind today."

On the finance portfolio, Tatkare said plainly that the NCP must get it. He said, "Dada gave record budgets. I got the chance to present a budget in 2010. Dada presented 21 budgets. Dada has made a big contribution to the state. We must get the finance portfolio."