Rohit Pawar asks why Tatkare did not say this after Ajit Pawar's death, as NCP merger talk returns

The question of a merger of the two Nationalist Congress Parties has come up again in Maharashtra politics. The talk had died down after the death of Ajit Pawar, but a statement by Sunil Tatkare has revived it. MLA Rohit Pawar has now raised sharp questions over that statement.

Tatkare had said that if Ajit Pawar were alive, the two NCPs would have come together. He had also said that February 12 would have been an important date for the merger.

Responding, Rohit Pawar said that merger talks between the two parties were on even while Ajitdada was alive. According to him, they had been saying this all along. Rohit Pawar recalled that right after Dada's death, Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel had said that no talks on a merger had taken place at all.

Rohit Pawar asked directly why Tatkare was now suddenly taking a different position. He also asked why this truth was not told after Dada's death.

Rohit Pawar also spoke about the political position of Tatkare and Praful Patel. He said the two leaders may be in difficulty at present in Ajitdada's NCP. There are also questions, he said, about how much weight they carry in the party. Rohit Pawar claimed that this may be why they have changed their stand.

Rohit Pawar also responded to the talk of Sharad Pawar going with the BJP. He said he knows Pawar Saheb closely. According to him, the BJP's policies have raised many questions for youth, women, farmers and the Constitution.

Rohit Pawar said he is constantly fighting these policies, so the question of going with the BJP or cooperating with those in power does not arise. He expressed confidence that Sharad Pawar too would not take any such decision.

The sharp exchange between Tatkare and Rohit Pawar over the merger is back in the spotlight. Political circles are now watching how Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel respond to these charges.