Fadnavis says NCP merger is for Pawar, Patel and Tatkare to decide, NDA allies to be consulted

The question of merging the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has come up for discussion again after the death of Ajit Pawar. A meeting between Sharad Pawar and MP Praful Patel fuelled the talk further. Meanwhile, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare also referred to Ajitdada's stand on a merger. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has now given his views on these developments.

Responding to a question on the two factions coming together, Fadnavis said that on one side there is a senior leader like Sharad Pawar, and on the other are leaders such as Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar, Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. Whatever decision is to be taken on a merger, it is for them to take. Fadnavis made it clear that, as a constituent party of the NDA, they would consult his side on the decision.

The Chief Minister also said that neither of the two NCP factions has so far held any discussion with NDA leaders on the matter.

The talk gathered pace after a meeting two days ago. Praful Patel had gone to Breach Candy Hospital to ask after Sharad Pawar's health. A video of the meeting went viral on social media. In it, Sharad Pawar was seen saying that they would sit down and talk after the 10th. After this conversation, speculation about an NCP merger started again.

Sunil Tatkare also made a statement on the issue. He said that if Ajit Pawar were alive today, the two NCP parties would be seen together. Tatkare also said that Ajitdada had spoken to him about this.

After these developments, political circles are watching whether the two NCP factions will actually come together and, if they do, what the NDA's stand will be.