Maharashtra Chief Minister Denies Awareness of NCP Merger Discussions
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated on Sunday that he had no knowledge about any discussions regarding a potential merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He also expressed ignorance about any proposed date for such a merger. "If discussions on merger had gone to a final stage, Ajitdada would have informed us... He is in our government and without sharing with us would he have taken a decision?" Fadnavis emphasized, highlighting the close relationship he shared with the late deputy chief minister.
Fadnavis Questions the Credibility of Merger Claims
Fadnavis further questioned the logic behind such merger talks, pointing out that Ajit Pawar was stable within the ruling alliance. "If Ajit Pawar was holding discussions on the merger, would he have done so without taking BJP into confidence? Second, supposing he was holding such discussions, was he doing it to get out of NDA when he was stable in the government." He suggested that some individuals might be creating confusion to exploit the situation through their networks.
The Chief Minister's remarks came in response to NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar's claim that February 12 had been finalized as the date to announce a merger between the two NCP factions. Fadnavis firmly rejected any prior knowledge of these developments, stating, "I have no idea on what talks took place between him and Sharad Pawar. As far as we are concerned, we have no idea about the merger."
Sharad Pawar Initiates Memorial Project for Ajit Pawar
In a separate development, Sharad Pawar has taken the initiative to build a grand memorial for his late nephew, Ajit Pawar, in their hometown of Baramati. The memorial is proposed to be constructed on the campus of Vidya Pratishthan, where Ajit Pawar was cremated on January 28.
On Sunday, Sharad Pawar, accompanied by his wife Pratibha, visited the campus and held discussions with trustees of the educational trust about the memorial plans. "Pawar Saheb was heading to Mumbai. On the way, he and his wife called us to the campus where he discussed the memorial for Ajit dada," said Kiran Gujar, a member of Vidya Pratishthan. "He told us to start working on the plan, which he would discuss with us again once the mourning period is over."
Vidya Pratishthan, an educational trust managed by the Pawar family, has Sharad Pawar as its president, with Ajit Pawar having served as one of the trustees. This initiative reflects the family's commitment to honoring the legacy of the late deputy chief minister.
Fadnavis Defends Swift Swearing-In of Sunetra Pawar
Addressing criticism about the rushed swearing-in ceremony of Sunetra Pawar, Fadnavis drew a historical parallel. He pointed out that when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated, the Congress party nominated Rajiv Gandhi as her successor even before her last rites were performed. This comparison was made to justify the timing of Sunetra Pawar's induction into the government.
The Chief Minister also reminisced about his personal bond with Ajit Pawar, noting that they had shared a close relationship. "You all know that the relationship between Ajitdada and me was such that he shared everything with me. Even a day before his unfortunate death, we both sat together chit chatting for an hour..." This statement underscores the trust and camaraderie that existed between the two leaders, further supporting Fadnavis's claim of being unaware of any merger discussions.
