Had Ajit Pawar been alive, both NCP factions would have united, says Sunil Tatkare

Mumbai: The possible reunification of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is back in discussion in Maharashtra politics. A statement by NCP state president and Raigad MP Sunil Tatkare on the issue has set off fresh talk in political circles. Referring to the late Ajit Pawar, Tatkare commented on the possibility of the two NCP parties coming together.

Tatkare said that discussions on bringing the two factions together were under way while Ajit Pawar was still alive. He made it clear that, had Ajit Pawar been with them today, the two parties would have merged. Following the statement, there is also political discussion on whether Ajit Pawar had a positive view of bringing the two factions together again.

After the split in the NCP, two separate parties emerged in the state's politics: the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), led by Sharad Pawar, and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar. Both factions became active in the state's politics and continue to work separately under their own leaders.

For some time now, there has been talk of the two factions drawing close again. Meetings between some leaders of the two parties and political developments have kept the question of a merger in the news. After the death of Ajit Pawar, the question of reunifying the two parties has gained fresh importance. Against this backdrop, Tatkare's remark that the two parties would have come together had Ajit Pawar been alive is being seen as significant.

However, Tatkare's statement does not mean a merger of the two parties has been decided. No official decision has been announced so far.

If the two parties unite, the state's political equations could change. But that would require agreement among the senior leaders on both sides. Political observers are therefore watching what stand leaders of the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions take in the coming period.

Although Tatkare's statement has revived the issue, whether the two parties will actually come together will become clear only from future political developments.