Sunetra Pawar leaves NCP merger question open

Sunetra Pawar has left open the possibility of a merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party factions, saying details would emerge when the time came, as meetings between leaders renewed speculation about reunification. Neither faction has announced a formal merger agreement, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Bharatiya Janata Party had not been informed of formal discussions.

Sunetra Pawar, the NCP president and Maharashtra deputy chief minister, made the remarks at a press conference about programmes marking the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. She did not confirm or rule out a merger. Her comments followed recent contacts involving leaders from her faction and Sharad Pawar, who leads the rival NCP faction.

Sunil Tatkare, the NCP state president, said a merger would have been completed on February 12 had Ajit Pawar been alive. Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar’s husband and the factions’ former leader, died in an air crash on January 28. Tatkare has also said Sunetra Pawar and Sharad Pawar would make the decision on whether the factions unite. His account of the proposed February date has not been accompanied by a formal merger...