NCP to Stay with NDA, Upholding Ajit Pawar’s Vision: Sunil Tatkare

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and MP Sunil Tatkare on Sunday dismissed rumours about a possible merger between the two factions of the party. He made it clear that the NCP will continue its alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Tatkare stated, “We are with the NDA and have decided to remain with it permanently. I have not taken any decision without the consent of the late Ajit Pawar. Regardless of what others say, our role is to carry forward the ideology given by the party and ‘Dada’ (Ajit Pawar), and we stand firm on this position.”

Speaking to the media amid discussions about the merger, Tatkare referred to remarks made by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar the previous day, who had said that several meetings were held and Ajit Pawar was expected to announce the merger on February 12.

Tatkare emphasised that according to the constitution framed by Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar, everyone has the right to express their opinions.

He added, “After Sunetra Pawar took oath as Deputy Chief Minister yesterday, everyone has the right to express their views. However, she has taken the oath to stabilise Maharashtra, strengthen the NCP family, and realise the vision of Ajit Pawar’s developed Maharashtra. There is nothing wrong in this.”

On the state’s Rajya Sabha candidate, Tatkare said the decision will be taken by the NCP. He also noted that the BJP has always cooperated with the party.

He remarked, “While forming the cabinet and making other decisions, the BJP has not issued any directives to us. On the contrary, under the senior leadership of BJP in the NDA, we are experiencing how a coalition ally should be treated with respect and dignity.”

Questioning the timing of merger rumours, Tatkare asked why discussions about the merger began even before the completion of the funeral rites.

He said those associated with this stance will make decisions accordingly. The decision to join the NDA was taken carefully by Ajit Pawar, and the party stands by it.

Denying any talks about a merger within the party, Tatkare said allegations are being made against them. He stated that he has been associated with Ajit Pawar for the past 30 years and has fulfilled every responsibility entrusted to him by the party.

Tatkare reaffirmed the decision to remain with the NDA and said he does not know who started the merger discussions. “Those who initiated the talks should be questioned. Those who want to accuse us may do so. We stand with the Ajit Pawar family and the decision through which he built the party as a family. In a democracy, the right to elect the legislative party leader rests with the Nationalist Congress Party,” he said.

He added that the legislative party was built through years of hard work by Ajit Pawar. Under his leadership, the party’s core secular ideology and values of Shivaji, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, along with social equality, have been upheld while taking the collective decision to join the NDA.

“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the NCP decided to become part of the NDA. The people of Maharashtra have supported this decision, and hence the decision to remain with the NDA is firm,” Tatkare concluded.