Prominent leaders like Ajit Pawar’s camp and Praful Patel of Ajit Pawar’s camp and Praful Patel are allegedly against the merger with the increase in speculation about the merger between two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). According to sources, the two leaders have expressed their concerns about the partition of power and major party positions in the event of merger. The merger may begin rivalry for the posts of Chief Union Minister between Prafulla Patel and Supriya Sule, while questions are being raised whether Jayant Patil will get the post of minister or he will continue as the state president. Due to interruptions in progress due to internal differences, all eyes are on the next step of Ajit Pawar and its impact on the future of NCP.
Also read: Stay away from party level politics … Sharad Pawar advised Sanjay Raut
However, Sunil Tatkare dismissed the merger discussions and said that no official proposal has been received so far. Sources further stated that in the same way NCP (SP) leader Anil Deshmukh has also clarified that the discussions of the merger are merely speculation and it has not been discussed within the party. Recently, Sharad Pawar accepted the partition in his camp, in which one group was in favor of merger and the other was opposing it to fight right -wing forces. He also indicated that the final decision would be in the hands of young leaders like Supriya Sule. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut pointed to his contradictory stance, taking a sarcasm at the Ajit Pawar faction. He commented that he considers Sharad Pawar as his leader and shows interest in unity, but he opposes the merger and prefers to maintain his “small shop” along with “Modi’s main shop”.
Also read: Police Pune Hagawane should investigate a concrete manner in suicide case: Ajit Pawar
In an interview recently, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised Sharad Pawar’s perseverance and work morality, making speculation that the BJP may soften its stance towards senior Pawar amidst doubling of merger between two factions of NCP. However, a rift can also be seen in the Mahayuti alliance of Maharashtra, where BJP MLAs and ministers have allegedly raised complaints against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during the recent state tour of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Despite its alliance, the BJP leaders are worrying that Pawar’s faction is currently strategically maneuver to control the BJP’s dominated local self-government bodies in major districts like Pune, Sangli, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Parbhani, Jalna and Beed.
