Does NCP merger now depend on BJP's political green signal?

NCP leader Hasan Mushrif confirms that the late Ajit Pawar engaged in discussions with NCP (SP) leaders regarding a potential merger of the two factions, highlighting the evolving political landscape in Maharashtra

IMAGE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar takes oath of office at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

Key Points

Senior NCP leader Hasan Mushrif confirmed Ajit Pawar was in talks with NCP-SP about a potential merger of the two factions.
Mushrif stated the situation has changed after Ajit Pawar's death, requiring the NCP to consult with ally BJP before making any decisions.
The NCP will consider the wishes of Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, in future decisions regarding the party's direction.
While NCP-SP leaders claim Ajit Pawar was eager to reunite the party, current NCP leaders are not in a rush to expedite the merger process.

Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Hasan Mushrif on Friday admitted that the late party president Ajit Pawar was holding talks with NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar leaders on the merger of the two factions.

Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, Mushrif, a cabinet minister in Maharashtra, said the situation has changed after Ajit Pawar's death in an air crash last month, and before taking any decision, his party will have to take the ruling ally Bharatiya Janata Party into confidence.

"I have said it many times that Ajit Pawar was discussing the merger of the two NCPs... no (other) leader from NCP was part of it. We are not claiming that no discussion about the merger took place. (But) Now, after the demise of Ajit dada, the situation has changed. We will have to take the BJP into confidence," he said.

He further said that the party will take a decision as per the wishes of Ajit Pawar's wife and deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.

"We used to get calls (from Ajit Pawar) that if both the factions come together, they will have to contest the (local body) polls on one symbol. But beyond this, dada never talked to us (about merger )," claimed Mushrif.

While the NCP-SP leaders including Sharad Pawar have said that Ajit Pawar was keen on reuniting the party, NCP leaders have indicated that they are in no hurry to expedite the process.