Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sunetra Pawar on Wednesday declined to comment directly on the possibility of a merger between the two NCP factions, saying details would emerge at the appropriate time.
Speculation over a possible reunification of the factions led by Sunetra Pawar and Sharad Pawar intensified last week after several leaders of the NCP, including Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, met Sharad Pawar, who was recently hospitalised with a chest infection.
A video that went viral on social media showed Sharad Pawar and Patel discussing a possible meeting after November 10. NCP state president Sunil Tatkare had also claimed that the merger of the two factions would have taken place in February this year if Ajit Pawar had been alive.
Sunetra Pawar avoids direct response on merger
Asked about the possibility of the two factions coming together, Sunetra Pawar said the matter would become clear in due course.
“I know all of you are more interested in a different issue at present. However, today’s subject is entirely different. Things (about the merger) will be known when the time comes,” she told reporters in Baramati.
She was speaking at a press conference organised to announce programmes marking the 191st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda on November 15.
Merger speculation follows meetings with Sharad Pawar
The merger discussion has gained momentum following meetings between leaders of the two NCP factions. Among those who met Sharad Pawar last week were Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, prompting speculation about renewed efforts to bring the two groups together.
The video showing Sharad Pawar and Patel discussing a possible meeting after November 10 further fuelled the speculation.
Tatkare had earlier said that the merger would have taken place in February if Ajit Pawar had been alive.
Ajit Pawar, who was then Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president, died in an air crash on January 28. Sunetra Pawar subsequently took over as the NCP president and became Deputy Chief Minister in the Mahayuti government, which comprises the BJP, the NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Maharashtra to observe Birsa Munda birth anniversary
Apart from addressing questions about the merger, Sunetra Pawar announced programmes to mark Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary on November 15.
The Maharashtra government will observe the occasion as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas and organise a service week across the state from November 11 to 18, she said.
In Pune district, the Integrated Tribal Development Project office at Ghodegaon will organise several activities, including the distribution of cheques to beneficiaries of government schemes, cleanliness drives at memorials, a wild vegetable festival, cultural programmes, tribal gatherings and health and nutrition awareness camps.
Service week programmes planned in Beed
Sunetra Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Beed district, said similar programmes would be organised there from November 11 to 18.
The activities will include health camps, cleanliness drives and awareness programmes. Special celebrations will also be held at Kuppa and Khalwat Nimgaon in Wadwani tehsil on November 15, she said.
(With inputs from PTI)
