“Even before the last rites were performed, who started the discussion on a merger?” he asked, indicating that the NCP was not ready to reconsider Ajit Pawar’s 2023 decision to join the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), which has claimed that Ajit Pawar was keen on a merger, is part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. Representational Pic
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Anand Paranjpe on Thursday said those raising merger speculations between rival NCP factions soon after Ajit Pawar’s death must clarify whether they plan to join the BJP-led alliance.
According to the PTI, he said the party was still grieving the loss of its president in an air crash and had not yet come to terms with the shock.
“Even before the last rites were performed, who started the discussion on a merger?” he asked, indicating that the NCP was not ready to reconsider Ajit Pawar’s 2023 decision to join the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.
“Those speaking about a merger in haste should first make it clear whether they want to merge into another party or another alliance. They should clarify whether they intend to join the NDA or the Mahayuti government in the state,” Paranjpe said, reported PTI.
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), which has claimed that Ajit Pawar was keen on a merger, is part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.
NCP says party still in mourning, merger talks premature
Paranjpe, a former MP, also said the targeting of NCP working president Praful Patel, state chief Sunil Tatkare, and Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar was unjustified. “At such a sensitive time, nothing could be more disgraceful than raising such doubts,” he said, reported PTI. Patel and Tatkare have been accused by critics of opposing a merger.
Reiterating the party’s stand, Paranjpe said the NCP remains firm on Ajit Pawar’s decision taken on July 2, 2023, to join the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.
Responding to activist Anjali Damania’s allegations against Parth Pawar in the Mundhwa land deal case, Paranjpe said her claims against several political leaders in the past had not stood judicial scrutiny and that she should wait for the ongoing investigation to conclude.
As per PTI, he also criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, saying that instead of making daily allegations, Raut should focus on addressing his party’s declining political strength. Paranjpe added that no conclusions should be drawn while an official inquiry is still underway.
A company owned by Parth Pawar has been accused of illegally purchasing government land worth hundreds of crores of rupees in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa area. The deal was later scrapped, and a case was registered against a co-owner of the firm, government officials, and others. Parth Pawar has not been named as an accused.
(With PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
