Senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare stated that any potential merger between the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led faction would require consultation with the BJP. He added that, currently, such a merger is highly unlikely
Despite remote chances, any NCP faction merger would require BJP's nod, says senior leader Sunil Tatkare. File Pic
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would need to consult the BJP if a merger with the rival Sharad Pawar-led faction becomes a possibility, senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare stated in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Friday, reported news agency PTI.
He further added that, as of now, the chances of the NCP, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and the rival NCP (SP) coming together are remote.
Tatkare, who heads the state NCP, held a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar before commencing a Marathwada tour.
"No discussion is underway (about unification). But we have openly passed a resolution that we will stay with the NDA. Those who accept it will join us," he affirmed.
"There is no discussion on unification even within our core group. Even when such a situation arises and the time comes to come together, we will have to speak to the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, because the top leadership of the BJP took us with them. Consulting them is natural," Tatkare elaborated.
However, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP aligned with the ruling BJP in Maharashtra in July 2023.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar announced on Friday that only legislators, their official personal assistants, and government officials would be permitted entry inside the Vidhan Bhavan premises. This decision comes a day after supporters of two MLAs clashed within the legislature building.
Speaker Narwekar made the announcement on the final day of the monsoon session, with the winter session of the state legislature scheduled to commence in Nagpur on 8 December.
Moreover, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed concern that the public was blaming all legislators for the scuffle.
"The image of everyone in the legislature has been maligned due to what happened in Vidhan Bhavan yesterday," he added. Some legislators, however, claimed corruption in the issuing of passes to such a large number of visitors.
Additionally, police have arrested Nitin Deshmukh, a supporter of NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, and Rishikesh Takle, a supporter of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar, in connection with the scuffle, an official confirmed. Supporters of Awhad and Padalkar came to blows in the Vidhan Bhavan lobby on Thursday, a day after the two legislators themselves had a heated exchange on the legislature premises, reported PTI.
Narwekar further informed the House that a decision regarding the establishment of an ethics committee, empowered to disqualify members, would be taken within a week. He also stated that ministers would not be allowed to hold official meetings or meet visitors within the legislature complex during the session.
Instead, they would have to conduct their official briefings and meetings in Mantralaya, the state secretariat.
(With inputs from PTI)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
