The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will continue to remain part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) despite speculation over a possible merger with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) following Ajit Pawar’s death, Maharashtra NCP president and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare said on Sunday.
Rejecting claims that February 12 had been fixed for a formal merger announcement between the two NCP factions, Tatkare asserted that the party would move forward on the ideology and political path laid down by Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28.
“Whatever people may say, our stand is clear. We will take forward the party and the ideology given by Ajitdada. We are firm on this position,” Tatkare told reporters at the NCP state office in Mumbai.
Emphasising the party’s alliance choice, the Raigad MP said, “We are with the NDA and will remain with the NDA. This was a well-thought-out decision taken
by Ajitdada.”
Tatkare said the decision to align with the ruling NDA had been taken collectively under Ajit Pawar’s leadership and stressed that he had never taken any political decision without the late leader’s consent.
Responding to criticism over the swearing-in of Sunetra Pawar as deputy chief minister shortly after Ajit Pawar’s death, Tatkare said the Constitution allowed everyone to express their views but maintained that the decision was taken in the interest of Maharashtra and to strengthen the party.
“There is nothing wrong in her taking the oath to stabilise Maharashtra and to fulfil Ajit Pawar’s vision of a developed state,” he said.
Also read: Sunetra Pawar takes oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM
Tatkare also said the choice of the party’s Rajya Sabha candidate was an internal matter and praised the BJP for maintaining cordial relations within the NDA. “The BJP has always cooperated with us and treated its allies with respect,” he said.
Questioning the timing of merger speculation, Tatkare asked why such claims were being circulated even before Ajit Pawar’s last rites were completed. He said he had not made any public comment on the merger issue but a narrative was being created suggesting that he opposed it.
The NCP’s decision to join the NDA was taken while remaining committed to secular values and the principles of social justice inspired by Shivaji Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule, Shahu Maharaj and B R Ambedkar, Tatkare said, adding that the move had received the mandate of the people of Maharashtra.
Tatkare was speaking during a visit to the party office for rituals after Ajit Pawar’s ashes were brought there for ceremonial prayers. He said the ashes would be taken across districts for public homage before immersion.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said any merger talks in their final stages would not have taken place without the BJP’s knowledge. “If Ajit Pawar was working on a merger, would he do so without taking the BJP into confidence?” he asked.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said he had been involved in merger discussions over the past three months and would speak on the matter after the 13-day mourning period ends.
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