Tatkare meets Sunetra Pawar at Baramati on Diwali Padwa amid NCP merger talk

The proposed merger of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is being widely discussed in political circles these days. It is learnt that senior party leaders have met Sharad Pawar and spoken to him about it. Meanwhile, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare arrived at the Pawar family residence in Baramati today on the occasion of Diwali Padwa.

A meeting was held there between Sunetra Pawar and Tatkare. Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar were also present. The talks lasted about 40 to 45 minutes.

Tatkare said, "A sad moment has come upon us, of visiting Baramati on Padwa without Dada. For the past 30 years we have come here every year on Padwa. But Baramati and Padwa without Dada does not sit well with the mind. Even so, I have come here today with a feeling of bowing at Dada's feet."

Speaking about the Baramati visit and the meeting, Tatkare said that on the subject of the merger, Sunetra Bhabhi will take the decision on behalf of the party. He said Sharad Pawar has been in national politics for the past six decades, so he will decide for his own party. According to Tatkare, Sunetra Bhabhi is the president of the Nationalist Congress Party. He said that if any decision has been taken on this, he is not aware of it. Tatkare said he has been in his village for three or four days and does not know if anything has happened in recent days.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader and minister Sanjay Shirsat commented on the NCP merger. He said, "A wrestling match is going on within the two NCPs. In the morning there is talk of a merger, in the afternoon they speak against each other, and at night there is something else altogether." In these words, Shirsat criticised the talk of the NCP merger.