‘First Decide Who Merges into Whom’: Tatkare Rebuts Sharad Pawar Camp

Mumbai: State NCP president Sunil Tatkare on Monday asserted that the Ajit Pawar-led party had collectively decided to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and would continue to remain part of the BJP-led alliance. Dismissing claims by the Sharad Pawar faction that Ajit Pawar had finalised a date for the merger of the two NCP factions, Mr. Tatkare said the NCP (SP) should first clarify “which party is merging into which”.

Mr. Tatkare accompanied Sunetra Pawar, who was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, during her visit to Karad, where she paid homage at the memorial of former Deputy Prime Minister Yashwantrao Chavan and the statue of Venutai Chavan.

Speaking after the visit, Mr. Tatkare said Sunetra Pawar had accepted the responsibility in the larger interest of Maharashtra. “Under Ajit Dada’s leadership, the NCP has worked in line with the ideology of Yashwantrao Chavan over the past two-and-a-half years. Sunetra Pawar will carry forward this legacy and contribute significantly to the state’s future development,” he said.

Responding to allegations that Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule were not invited to Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Tatkare clarified that the NCP legislative party had unanimously submitted the letter recommending her appointment to the Chief Minister, following which the ceremony was conducted.

On claims of a possible reunion between the two NCP factions, Mr. Tatkare said he would comment only after there was clarity on “which party is merging into which”.“We are part of the government at both the Centre and the State through the NDA with the BJP, working in the interest of the public. It is our responsibility to continue fulfilling this role,” he said.

Last week, NCP founder Sharad Pawar had claimed that Ajit Pawar was keen on reuniting the two factions and that an announcement was expected on February 12. He also said Ajit Pawar had agreed to discuss other issues only after the official announcement of the reunion.