National
Speculation Ends : No Merger of The NCP Factions In Maharashtra ; Eases Tension In The MVA Consisting Shiv Sena (UBT) And Congress
“The possibility of a merger between the two NCPs is over. The idea of a merger was a brainchild of (then Deputy CM and NCP chief) Ajit Pawar. He was holding talks with both sides. The talks have stopped since his death. I don’t see these talks restarting in future. The merger is no longer on the agenda,” Patil told reporters on the premises of Vidhan Bhavan.
Senior Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar leader Jayant Patil has ruled out the possibility of a merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party and admitted that talks stopped after NCP chief Ajit Pawar was killed in a plane crash.
He asserted that the issue of reunification of the two factions is no longer on the agenda of NCP-SP.
“The possibility of a merger between the two NCPs is over. The idea of a merger was a brainchild of (then Deputy CM and NCP chief) Ajit Pawar. He was holding talks with both sides. The talks have stopped since his death. I don’t see these talks restarting in future. The merger is no longer on the agenda,” Patil told reporters on the premises of Vidhan Bhavan.
Rajya Sabha Seat Implications
The timing of remarks has raised eyebrows as all three constituents in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, namely the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, the NCP-SP, and the Congress, have staked claims to contest the lone Rajya Sabha seat the Opposition could win in Maharashtra.
According to sources, the Sena-UBT and Congress had expressed apprehensions that the merger of the two NCPs and the renomination of Sharad Pawar to the Upper House would effectively mean conceding the seventh seat to the NDA.
Against this backdrop, Jayant Patil has clarified that merger talks have ceased.
“Both our allies are well aware of this,” he added.