NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Thursday criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his remarks on the possible merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party factions, alleging that they reflected the “arrogance” of those in power.
Fadnavis had said on Tuesday that only NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who lead the rival factions, could clarify whether the two parties would reunite. He also said that any merger would require the BJP to be taken into confidence as it heads the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
In a post on X, Rohit Pawar alleged that the chief minister’s comments reflected the “arrogance” associated with being in power.
Rohit Pawar raises Mundhwa land deal issue
Referring to the controversial Mundhwa land deal and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, the MLA claimed that attempts had been made to “blackmail” his late uncle, Ajit Pawar, over the issue. He alleged that Ajit Pawar had not given in to the BJP.
“Who was blackmailing Ajitdada, and who gave orders to blackmail him?” Rohit Pawar asked in his post.
He further said the BJP and its leaders, whose politics he claimed were built on “blackmail”, should refrain from commenting on efforts to bring the two NCP factions together.
Controversy over Pune land transaction
The Mundhwa case relates to a transaction involving around 40 acres of government-owned land in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa area. Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar holds a majority stake, purchased the land for around Rs 300 crore.
The transaction came under scrutiny over allegations of undervaluation and irregularities in stamp duty payment. The firm had paid only Rs 500 in stamp duty while claiming an exemption. Authorities subsequently directed it to pay a stamp duty shortfall of around Rs 21 crore, along with a penalty. An appeal against the order was rejected in April 2026.
An FIR has also been registered against several persons in connection with the transaction.
Merger speculation gains momentum
Speculation about a merger between the two NCP factions has intensified since Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on January 28. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, subsequently became the NCP’s national president and Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister.
The speculation gathered momentum after senior leaders of her faction, including Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, met Sharad Pawar.
Meanwhile, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare and party leader Dhananjay Munde met Fadnavis on Wednesday amid renewed merger discussions and reports of a demand for the Finance portfolio, currently held by the chief minister.
(With inputs from PTI)
