Following the death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, a shocking revelation has emerged. Senior leaders of both factions have claimed that NCP was poised to unite again on February 8, but Ajit Pawar's untimely demise dealt a major blow to these plans.
According to a report by The Indian Express, based on sources, the merger talks between the two factions were well advanced, and both Sharad and Ajit Pawar were preparing for formal unification after the Zilla Parishad election results.
Although the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar was expected to derail the talks, the process remains well on course as senior NCP leaders, who arrived at his funeral in Baramati on Wednesday, held a meeting.
According to the said report, it was agreed in the meeting to continue consultations amid the current political situation.
Was Sharad Pawar to join Mahayuti?
The report cited Senior NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil and NCP (SP) leader Shashikant Shinde, who confirmed that the two factions had been in advanced stage of reunification talks. The report, citing sources, claimed that the talks reached the point where induction of new faces with a possible cabinet reshuffle was being informally discussed.
Although it was not clear whether the deliberations were about to join the Mahayuti govt or an entirely different scenario was planned, the number game in Maharashtra politics indicates the possibility of the former.
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Crucial meeting at Sharad Pawar's residence
Jayant Patil was quoted as saying that on January 16, the leaders of both factions met at his house and the next day at Sharad Pawar's house. The announcement of the merger was to be made after the Zila Parishad elections.