Mumbai, Nov 13 Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday backed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s stance that the two NCP factions could not move towards a merger without consulting the ruling BJP-led alliance — a position opposed by the Sharad Pawar camp.
Speaking to reporters amid speculation over the possible reunification of the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP), Bhujbal said any move would require consultations with the party leadership and allies and highlighted the contrasting political alignments of the two groups, with his faction part of the BJP-led NDA and the other aligned with the opposition INDIA bloc.
“We (NCP) are in the government with them. We cannot take any step without consulting them. Their consent will have to be taken,” he said, referring to the BJP-led alliance.
His remarks aligned with Fadnavis’s assertion on Tuesday that a merger could not happen without consulting the BJP, the largest constituent of the ruling coalition. Fadnavis had also said that only Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar could clarify if the rival factions would reunite.
Fadnavis’s comment had triggered a political row, with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleging on Thursday that the Chief Minister’s remarks reflected “arrogance” born out of power.
The merger buzz had gained momentum last week after senior leaders of Sunetra Pawar’s faction, including Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, met Sharad Pawar, and was further fuelled two days ago when Sunetra Pawar remarked in Baramati that things would become clear “at the appropriate time”.
Addressing the merger talks, Bhujbal acknowledged that while reuniting the factions was a wish shared by many, the process involved complex questions regarding differing political expectations and leadership interests.
“There is no final decision yet. It is only discussions. We don’t know what the NCP (SP) wants,” he said, adding, “everyone has their own expectations and their own perspective. How all this can be brought together is a complicated question.”
Bhujbal confirmed that informal talks had taken place prior to the death of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, noting that Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar had held discussions, though nothing received a final stamp of approval.
He recalled a 40-to-45-minute meeting between Ajit Pawar and NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil during Bhujbal’s hospitalisation following a major surgery, where they discussed the possibility of bringing everyone together. He also cited a meeting at an agricultural exhibition in Baramati involving Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, and four to five associates.
However, Bhujbal noted that Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise had drastically altered the political landscape. “If Ajit Dada had been there, he would certainly have taken everyone along and led them forward. But his sudden death has changed the entire situation,” he said.
On whether he would spearhead any reconciliation efforts, Bhujbal said he would abide by his party leadership, MLAs, and district presidents.
He said he was confident Sunetra Pawar, who took over as NCP president after her husband’s death, would eventually brief party members on the developments. “I am sure Sunetra tai will give everyone confidence and explain what is happening,” he said.
Bhujbal also defended extending Diwali greetings to Sharad Pawar, describing him as one of Maharashtra’s most senior and most mature politicians while maintaining that personal relationships should not be confused with political alignments
“Sharad Pawar’s party is different and my party is different. But he is such a person that even if someone is his political enemy, he maintains relations and speaks to them. He does not bring politics into every matter,” Bhujbal said.
Asked about the broader speculation of both the Pawar factions and the Thackeray cousins coming together, Bhujbal remarked that such developments would naturally bring happiness to those who worked to build the respective political organisations.
Meanwhile, in Pune, Maharashtra Minister Dattatray Bharne denied that any political discussions took place during a meeting of party legislators at Sunetra Pawar’s Jijai residence on Friday, asserting that all MLAs stood firmly behind her leadership.
Speaking after the meeting, also attended by Sunetra Pawar’s son Parth Pawar and several MLAs, Bharne said the legislators met solely to discuss drought relief in their constituencies.
“There was no party meeting or political discussion on a merger,” he said.
Bharne maintained that party MLAs had met in Mumbai earlier this month and unanimously agreed to back her decisions without resentment.
NCP MLA Shankar Mandekar also dismissed talk of a merger and rumours of legislators switching sides, saying he and fellow MLAs Mauli Katke and Chetan Tupe had dropped by for a delayed Diwali visit and to raise local issues.
On the drought situation, Bharne said the state government was prioritising drinking water, irrigation, and fodder using state, central, and District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) funds, deferring work like concretisation of roads due to financial constraints.
He said the state had submitted its final panchnama report to the Centre and expected substantial relief from the National Disaster Response Fund following assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
(PTI News)
