In a significant political development, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Sunil Tatkare on Monday firmly reiterated the party's commitment to its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Speaking to reporters in Karad, located in Maharashtra's Satara district, Tatkare emphasized that the decision to join the NDA was a collective one taken under the leadership of the late Ajit Pawar, and the party intends to honor that commitment.
Clarity Sought on Merger Discussions
Tatkare addressed ongoing speculation about a potential merger between the two NCP factions, urging those advocating for such a move to first provide clear answers. "There should be clarity on which party was to merge with which party," he asserted, highlighting the need for unambiguous consensus before any merger proceedings could advance. This statement comes amid claims from opposition NCP (SP) leaders, including party chief Sharad Pawar, that merger talks were at an advanced stage and that Ajit Pawar had finalized February 12 as the date to announce the unification.
Accompanying Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar
The MP's remarks were made while he was accompanying Maharashtra's newly appointed deputy chief minister and NCP leader Sunetra Pawar, who paid tributes at the memorial of the state's first chief minister, Y B Chavan, in Karad. Sunetra Pawar took oath as deputy chief minister on Saturday, just three days after her husband and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar tragically died in a plane crash at Baramati in Pune district. Prior to her swearing-in, she was elected leader of the NCP legislature party during a meeting held in Mumbai, underscoring her rising prominence within the party ranks.
Denial of Internal Differences
Responding to questions about his reported opposition to the proposed merger, Tatkare categorically denied any differences of opinion between himself and fellow party MP Praful Patel on this critical issue. "Under the leadership of Ajit dada, we had taken a collective decision to join the BJP-led NDA, and the people of the state endorsed that decision in the Assembly elections," he explained, reinforcing the democratic mandate behind their alliance choice. He further stressed that those discussing a merger should explicitly state whether they agree with the existing NDA partnership.
Assertion of Legislative Party Strength
In a bold declaration of autonomy, the Lok Sabha member asserted that the NCP legislature party possesses sufficient strength to make independent decisions, including the appointment of its own leader. This statement serves as a reminder of the party's internal governance capabilities amidst external political pressures and speculations.
Political Context and Reactions
The backdrop to these developments includes Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's comment on Sunday, where he mentioned that if merger talks were indeed underway, Ajit Pawar would have shared the details with him. This adds another layer to the complex political dynamics in Maharashtra, where alliances and factional strategies continue to evolve. Tatkare's firm stance highlights the ongoing tensions and negotiations within the NCP, as it navigates its future course post the loss of a key leader like Ajit Pawar.
As Maharashtra's political landscape remains in flux, Tatkare's statements underscore a commitment to stability and continuity in the NCP's alliance choices, while also calling for transparency in any proposed structural changes within the party. The coming days are likely to see further discussions and clarifications as both factions assess their strategic positions ahead of potential electoral challenges.
