MUMBAI: Only three days after meeting NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar in hospital, where the latter had been admitted, NCP working president Praful Patel said he would try to meet Pawar again at his Mumbai residence after November 10.
Patel said the proposed meeting should not be given any political colour, adding that his respect for the veteran leader was, is and will always remain.
The six leaders are believed to have expressed their willingness for a reunion of the two factions. On one side, there is a senior leader like Sharad Pawar, while on the other are Sunetra Tai, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Parth Pawar. The NCP is an ally of the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, and six senior NCP leaders, including Patel, met Union home minister Amit Shah on November 1 in New Delhi, giving the merger talks fresh momentum.
Therefore, I feel it would be inappropriate for us to take a stand or make public comments on the matter until they take a decision,” Fadnavis said.
He also said, “All I meant when I said I would meet him after November 10 was that I would return from Gondia and, instead of meeting him at the hospital, would visit him at home so that we could talk,” he said, adding, “Please do not assume that this necessarily had any political significance. Commenting on the possible merger, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Ultimately, this is a matter between two independent political parties, and they are capable enough of taking their own decisions.
However, neither of the two factions has confirmed to us that any merger discussions are underway,” he said. However, he did say the BJP, as the senior partner in the NDA government at the centre, would expect to be consulted if merger negotiations were indeed underway. “One thing I know for certain is that if merger talks are taking place, they would have consulted us, as the BJP is the major partner in the NDA alliance. NCP chief spokesperson Umesh Patil dismissed speculation about merger talks, maintaining that Parth’s visits to Pawar’s residence were purely personal. “The speculation in the media is unnecessary.
Earlier reporting noted: NCP national working president Praful Patel said he would meet Sharad Pawar after Nov 10 in Mumbai, adding to the buzz surrounding the proposed merger.
He said Parth had been invited to the Diwali gathering as a family member. He said they briefly discussed political developments but did not engage in any detailed political discussions. Yesterday, Parth Dada went to meet Pawar Saheb after he was discharged from hospital, and today he was invited to a Diwali gathering,” Patil told the Hindustan Times. Earlier reporting noted: Pune: Deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar’s elder son and Rajya Sabha member Parth Pawar on Sunday met his granduncle and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar for the second consecutive day at the latter’s Mumbai residence amid renewed speculation that a disgruntled section of NCP was attempting to revive merger talks with the rival faction. Earlier reporting noted: Speaking to reporters in Gondia on Sunday, Patel denied discussing politics during the hospital visit.
