Patel’s Pawar Visit Revives NCP Merger Speculation

Praful Patel’s hospital visit to Sharad Pawar in Mumbai has renewed speculation about a possible reunion of two Nationalist Congress Party factions, while Patel said their conversation covered health and general political affairs, not internal party matters. Patel met Pawar at Breach Candy Hospital on November 5, where Pawar was receiving treatment. Afterward, Patel said he had gone to enquire about Pawar’s health and that the two discussed the political situation in Maharashtra and nationally. He did not describe the meeting as a discussion about merging the factions. A video of the exchange, in which they spoke about meeting again after November 10, added to the speculation. Sunil Tatkare, president of the ruling NCP’s Maharashtra unit, said the factions would have formalised a merger on February 12 had Ajit Pawar been alive. Tatkare said Ajit had told him about merger discussions and how they would be finalised. Ajit Pawar, who led the NCP, died in a plane crash on January 28, according to reports. Tatkare’s account is a statement about discussions and intentions, not confirmation that the factions reached an agreement. NCP SP leader Rohit Pawar has said a merger was...