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Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday mentioned that he would be happy if both factions of Nationalist Congress Party were merged; however, added that it would only happen on wish of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Addressing a press conference, Raut also expressed the possibility of a merger between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. "I don't think both NCP factions will merge, but if it happens, I will be happy. What Praful Patel is saying is what Amit Shah is saying. Do you have any solid information about the merger of both?. A decision on the merger of the NCP and the BJP will be taken as per Amit Shah's wishes. The NCP will merge with the BJP. Eknath Shinde's party will also merge with the BJP," said Raut. Earlier on February 4, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar said that discussions on a possible merger of the two NCP factions were held between Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil, and not with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Pawar also expressed happiness that Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister.Addressing a press conference in Baramati, Pawar said, "I am happy that Sunetra Pawar is sworn in as Deputy CM....Merger discussions were held between Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil. CM Fadnavis was not involved in the talks. What right did he have to talk about it?" "At present, our entire focus is on taking care of everyone and moving forward together with those who are grieving. As of now, there is no discussion at all about any political decisions," he added. On January 31, the senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), Jayant Patil, made a major revelation about the party's efforts to merge with another faction, citing the late Ajit Pawar's insistence on unity. Patil, who has been leading the merger talks, stated that he had taken the consent of all party members before proceeding with the discussions. He claimed that Ajit Pawar had assured him of the support of all his MLAs in the event of a merger. "He used to say repeatedly, 'Out of my 40 MLAs, 39, or even all 40, will vote exactly as I say. One or two may express opinions here and there, but no one will take a stand different from mine," Patil quoted Ajit Pawar as saying. Ajit Pawar, 66, died on the morning of January 28 after the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at the Baramati airport in Pune district. (ANI)
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