New Delhi, 31 : NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar has revealed that late Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday, was scheduled to formally announce the merger of the two NCP factions on February 12. The senior leader said the unification of Ajit Pawar’s faction and his own was nearly finalised before the tragedy.
Sharad Pawar stated that many party leaders acknowledged it was Ajit Pawar’s wish to reunite the two factions, with talks between Ajit Pawar and NCP(SP) leader Jayant Patil having already made significant progress. “It was Ajit Dada’s wish that both NCPs should come together, and it was our wish as well,” he said.
Clarifying his role, Sharad Pawar noted that he was not directly involved in the negotiations, which were led by Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil. He added that the roadmap for the merger had been in development over the past four months.
“The sudden loss of Ajit Pawar has put the merger talks in limbo. Any further steps will now depend on the leadership of both sides,” Pawar said. “We cannot bring back the one who has gone. Facing the current situation is a challenge, and someone must take up Ajit Pawar’s responsibility.”
Meanwhile, reports confirmed that Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, will assume the role of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with the oath-taking scheduled for 5 pm today. Sharad Pawar said he was not consulted on the decision. “I only learnt about the swearing-in ceremony through the morning news. The party is theirs to run. Leaders like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare have the authority to make these decisions,” he added.
Sharad Pawar emphasized that while the family remains united in grief, political decisions remain separate.