Mumbai, March 31: Sunil Tatkare, President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and MP, addressed ongoing rumors regarding a potential merger within the party led by Sharad Pawar. He clarified that he was aware of these discussions, but the context has changed significantly following the death of Ajit Pawar.
In an interview with a Marathi channel, Tatkare stated that the merger between the two factions of the NCP was nearing its conclusion before Ajit Pawar’s demise. He criticized certain leaders for discussing the merger while Ajit Pawar’s body was still present for the last rites.
Tatkare emphasized that he was not opposed to the merger. He had full knowledge of all activities at that time. However, he noted a stark difference between merging while Ajit Pawar was alive and doing so after his passing. The entire atmosphere has shifted. While some claimed the merger was in its final stages, no one suggested making Sunetra Pawar a leader during those discussions.
Reiterating the party’s current stance, Tatkare questioned the practicality of such a move. He stated, “Which party is merging with which? We are currently aligned with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and standing with the Bharatiya Janata Party.”
Tatkare mentioned that during the initial days of mourning, he chose to remain silent to maintain composure, despite political narratives being shaped through videos and interviews at that time. In the interview, he elaborated on his journey from Congress to NCP, his deep friendship with the late Ajit Pawar, and the challenges of leading the party in his absence.
He expressed that losing Ajit Pawar was not just a political setback but a profound personal loss. Since 1999, he has never missed celebrating Pawar’s birthday on July 22.
Reflecting on his emotions, he stated that the upcoming July 22, 2026, will be particularly painful. The thought of Ajit Dada no longer being with them, someone to whom they could wish a happy birthday, weighs heavily on his heart. Accepting his absence has been the greatest challenge for him.
Tatkare emphasized that the foremost priority now is to carry forward Ajit Pawar’s vision with unwavering commitment. Discussing leadership, he revealed that the party has reached a collective decision regarding succession.
He noted the critical question: what will happen to the party after Ajit Dada? While his passing is an irreplaceable loss, someone had to step into his role. Given their long-standing collaboration, the consensus was that Sunetra Pawar (Wahini) should be his successor.
He clarified that this was a collective decision involving senior leaders like Praful Patel, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, and Chhagan Bhujbal, and it included obtaining necessary approvals from the Chief Minister and senior BJP leadership.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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