Fadnavis Rejects NCP Reunification Claims, Asserts Ajit Pawar's Stability in Mahayuti
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has firmly dismissed assertions from the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP) faction that talks for reunifying the two NCP groups were nearing completion. His remarks come amid swirling speculation about a potential merger following conflicting statements from senior political figures.
Fadnavis Questions Logic Behind Merger Claims
In a pointed rebuttal, Fadnavis questioned the very foundation of the reunification narrative. "If Ajit Pawar were in talks with the NCP (SP) about a merger, would he not have informed us?" he stated emphatically. The Chief Minister revealed that Ajit Pawar maintained regular communication with him, sharing political developments transparently.
"We had a one-hour-long discussion shortly before these claims began circulating," Fadnavis added, underscoring the closeness of their political rapport. He further challenged the practical implications of such a merger, asking, "Even hypothetically, if a merger were in progress, what was Ajit Pawar planning to do? Leave the government or continue in it?"
Stability in Mahayuti Alliance Emphasized
Fadnavis categorically stated that from his understanding, Ajit Pawar remained steadfast in his commitment to the Mahayuti alliance. "From whatever we understand, Ajit Pawar was stable in the Mahayuti. Creating confusion around this is unfair," he asserted. While acknowledging awareness of various internal political developments, Fadnavis clarified that the BJP preferred not to politicize these matters unnecessarily.
"We are aware of many things. I myself am a witness to several issues. But we do not want to do politics on this," he remarked, highlighting a restrained approach amid the controversy.
Conflicting Narratives from NCP Factions
The Chief Minister's statements follow claims from senior NCP (SP) leaders, including Sharad Pawar and former state party chief Jayant Patil, who indicated that discussions on merging the two factions had progressed significantly. They suggested that Ajit Pawar was keen on finalizing the reunification by mid-February, adding fuel to the political discourse.
However, leaders from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction have uniformly denied these assertions. Party legislators emphasized that no formal proposal had been presented for consideration. NCP MLA Sunil Shelke clarified that such monumental decisions cannot be made unilaterally by any individual leader.
"Such decisions will be taken within the party. It may take weeks or even months," Shelke noted, tempering expectations of any imminent resolution. State minister Manikrao Kokate and MP Sunil Tatkare also refuted claims of a fixed merger timeline, adding to the contradictory accounts.
NCP (SP) Stands Firm on Advanced Talks
Despite the denials, the Sharad Pawar faction has reiterated its position. Party state president Shashikant Shinde maintained that Ajit Pawar had indeed expressed keen interest in a merger and that negotiations had reached an advanced stage. "We all know how Dada was. He was an emotional person. He wanted a merger with his uncle. I swear on it ... I am not lying," Shinde stated passionately.
He pointed to recent electoral collaborations as evidence of underlying unity, questioning, "If this was not true, why would Dada's daughter have contested elections with us, and why would our candidates have contested on Dada's NCP clock symbol in the recently held civic body polls?"
Leadership Speculation Addressed
Amid the reunification debate, senior NCP leader Praful Patel moved to quash rumors about his potential appointment as the party's national president. In a social media post, Patel declared, "News reports claiming my appointment as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party are completely baseless and factually incorrect."
He emphasized that any leadership decisions would follow established party protocols, involving thorough consultations with senior leaders, MLAs, and office-bearers. This clarification aimed to prevent further speculation within the already charged political environment.
The political landscape remains tense as these conflicting narratives unfold, with stakeholders navigating complex allegiances and strategic calculations. The legacy of Ajit Pawar, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28, continues to influence these discussions, adding an emotional dimension to the ongoing political maneuvering.
