NCP Working President Praful Patel Dismisses Merger Speculation, Clarifies Alliance Was Limited to Local Body Polls
Nationalist Congress Party working president Praful Patel has categorically dismissed ongoing speculation about a potential merger between the two factions of the NCP, clarifying that the electoral coordination witnessed during recent Zilla Parishad elections was strictly limited to preventing vote division and does not indicate any broader reunification plan.
Electoral Coordination, Not Reunification
Speaking to journalists in Delhi, Patel emphasized that discussions with the Sharad Pawar group were confined to establishing consensus for local self-government elections. "I will not speak on hypothetical questions. I will only speak about my party as it exists today," Patel stated firmly. "Regarding local self-government elections, Ajit dada mentioned that we are all contesting separately. He noted that if our votes are divided, it could impact the results. Therefore, he suggested coordinating with the Sharad Pawar group to establish a consensus. That was the extent of the discussion."
Patel's remarks come amid claims from leaders of the Sharad Pawar faction that the late Ajit Pawar had expressed a desire for a merger before his untimely death. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had previously indicated that multiple meetings had taken place with Ajit Pawar to discuss reunification, with an announcement expected on February 12.
Leadership Transition and External Comments
Addressing the party's leadership situation following Ajit Pawar's passing, Patel clarified his role as working president overseeing the transition while explicitly stating he is not in contention for the national president position. "I, Praful Patel, am not in the race for the post of national president," he declared unequivocally.
Patel responded strongly to external comments from political figures like MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut regarding potential successors. Thackeray had suggested on social media that a "Patel" should not head Ajit Pawar's party, while Raut remarked that the leader should belong to specific communities.
"Even when we haven't said anything, creating suspicion within our party is 'dirty politics,'" Patel countered. "I am stating clearly that a suitable person will be chosen, and it won't be me. Is Raj Thackeray a member of my party? Is he going to decide who our leader is? We don't need advice from Raj Thackeray, or the '9 AM bulletin.'"
Internal Decision-Making Process
Patel emphasized that the party would make its own decisions through proper internal processes. "We will make our own decisions. The party's decision will be made through the proper process," he asserted. "We have already decided on Sunetra Pawar as Deputy CM. The party president will also be decided soon. Why are outsiders commenting? Why are people who have never even contested an election speaking?"
Highlighting his political legacy, Patel added, "My father was elected by the people of Maharashtra since 1952, and I have been elected by the people as well. Those commenting on our background should be ashamed. I sit here as a representative of the people of Maharashtra. The party's decision will be in the right direction, for the right person, and it will be someone other than me."
Sunetra Pawar's Appointment as Deputy Chief Minister
Patel also detailed the process behind Sunetra Pawar's appointment as Deputy Chief Minister, explaining that party leaders had met with her and Parth Pawar to convey support and request her acceptance of the position. "We requested her to accept the responsibility of the Deputy Chief Minister's post. She accepted that request," he said.
Describing the decision-making process, Patel noted, "'Dada' was someone who never believed in coming to a standstill. Once we explained our position, she made the decision. We are satisfied that she heeded our insistence." He further clarified the timing, stating, "She mentioned that the family observes three days of mourning. Hence, she arrived in Mumbai on the fourth day and the swearing in took place. I don't understand why people are still creating controversies."
The clarification from the NCP working president comes at a crucial juncture for Maharashtra politics, as the party navigates leadership transition while maintaining its distinct identity separate from the Sharad Pawar faction.
