Pune: Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar's move to join the state cabinet without consulting Sharad Pawar - the senior member of the family - virtually snowballed into a roadblock for merger of the two NCP factions, besides creating an uneasiness in the family.NCP (SP) members have been attaching emotion to the merger issue by claiming that unification of NCPs was late Ajit Pawar 's last wish. NCP seniors kept avoiding discussions on the issue though, indicating that they were not too keen to take forward the merger talks Ajit and NCP (SP)'s former state president Jayant Patil had started a few months ago.NCP (SP) chief and Ajit's uncle Sharad Saturday hinted at derailment of merger talks when he said, "Ajit had finalised Feb 12 for the formal merger after holding multiple meetings with Patil, but before that announcement, the tragedy struck.Now, after the unfortunate incident, talks between the two parties are likely to be stalled." Now, Patil and others will decide the future course of action," Sharad said.Ajit and Patil discussed the merger issue over the past four-five months.Patil said, "He (Ajit) and I discussed the merger over dinner.
Author: Anurag Bende
Published at: 2026-01-31 21:32:45
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