NCP merger still in early talks, need allies' consent first, says Chhagan Bhujbal

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Chhagan Bhujbal said the two NCP factions have discussed a possible reunion. Any merger hinges on party consensus and consultations with their respective alliance partners.

Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal said on Friday that discussions on a possible merger of the two NCP factions were still at a preliminary stage and no final decision had been taken, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Bhujbal said any such move would require consultations with the party leadership and allies. His remarks came amid speculation about a reunion of the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP).

“Both NCP factions coming together is a wish shared by many of us, but the question is how it can happen and who should take the initiative,” Bhujbal said. He added that Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar had held discussions, but had not reached a final agreement.

“There is no final decision yet. It is only discussions. We don't know what NCP (SP) wants,” he said. “I have also heard about the discussions between Ajit Dada and Sharad Pawar. But I do not think anything has been finalised or given the final stamp of approval.”

According to PTI, Bhujbal recalled that NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil had visited him when he was in hospital after major surgery, and Ajit Pawar had later met him. During their 40-45 minute meeting, Ajit Pawar and Patil discussed the possibility of bringing everyone together, he said.

Bhujbal also referred to a meeting at an agricultural exhibition in Baramati, where Sharad Pawar and four or five associates met Ajit Pawar. Supriya Sule was also present, he said.

He said the political situation had changed considerably after Ajit Pawar's death. “If Ajit Dada had been there, he would certainly have taken everyone along and led them forward. But his sudden death has changed the entire situation,” Bhujbal said.

On the possibility of a merger, Bhujbal pointed out that the two factions were part of different political alliances. The NCP is associated with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, while the NCP (SP) is part of the opposition INDIA bloc.

Bhujbal said a merger involved several…

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