In a sharp political rebuke, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar has firmly dismissed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' recent comments regarding internal party merger talks, stating it was "not his business" to speak on the matter.
Clarifying the Record on Merger Discussions
Addressing the claims, Pawar provided crucial context, clarifying that any discussions about a potential merger were strictly internal affairs conducted between specific individuals within the NCP fold. He emphasized that these talks took place between his late nephew, Ajit Pawar, who at the time held the dual roles of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and President of the Nationalist Congress Party, and senior party leader Jayant Patil, a former minister and a key figure within the NCP (SP) faction.
A Firm Boundary on Political Commentary
Pawar's statement serves as a clear boundary, asserting that commentary on such sensitive intra-party deliberations should not come from external political figures. By naming the specific individuals involved—Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil—he aimed to set the record straight and counter any narrative being shaped by political opponents.
The veteran leader's remarks highlight the ongoing tensions and complex dynamics within Maharashtra's political landscape, where alliance structures and party loyalties remain fluid topics of discussion.
This public dismissal underscores Pawar's stance on maintaining the autonomy of his party's internal decision-making processes, signaling that interpretations or interventions from leaders of other parties, like Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party, are unwelcome and considered an overreach.
