There have been rumors of a merger between the NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) in Maharashtra politics for some time now, now Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare said on Thursday that there is currently no discussion on a merger with the Sharad Pawar faction. Regarding his meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said that this meeting held two days ago was only about the development work of his Lok Sabha constituency. He said that a day earlier he had sought a meeting with the chief minister, but the meeting did not take place due to a meeting of the BJP core committee.
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Tatkare said, “My meeting with the chief minister was only about the development work of my Lok Sabha constituency. We have to discuss many issues with the government, including issues related to the financial department.” Sunil Tatkare, Praful Patel and NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil met Fadnavis late Tuesday night. After this, a discussion began on new political equations in state politics. However, leaders of both factions of the NCP clarified that they met the chief minister separately.
Regarding Jayant Patil, Tatkare said, “He is a senior leader, a former finance minister and an experienced politician. He himself explained why he met the chief minister. There is no connection between his meeting and my meeting. At the same time, Praful Patel also met the Chief Minister to discuss some issues as he had to travel abroad that same night.
What did Tatkare say about the merger?
Sunil Tatkare said that talks to merge the NCP and the NCP(SP) had progressed well earlier this year but stalled after the death of NCP president Ajit Pawar. He said that “leaders of the Sharad Pawar faction themselves have said that the merger talks are over. There are currently no new proposals before us. If a similar proposal is made in the future, we will express our opinion at that time.
Also gave an answer on the delimitation bill
Tatkare also dismissed suggestions that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) supporting the delimitation bill is a sign of rapprochement with the BJP-led NDA, PTI reported. He said that “supporting the bill does not mean joining the NDA.” Many bills were passed by parliament unanimously in the national interest. Supporting a bill and being part of a coalition are two different things.
Rejected reports of differences in the party
Sunil Tatkare also rejected reports of differences within his party. He said: “We know political decorum. We are working to strengthen the party on the basis of mutual respect. This is the first time I’ve heard about mistrust within the party.
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