Fadnavis Denies Claims of NCP Merger Talks
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday strongly denied claims made by leaders of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) about a possible merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party factions.
Reacting to statements by several NCP (SP) leaders, including Sharad Pawar, Fadnavis said there was no truth to the claims and asserted that if any such discussions had taken place, they would have certainly been shared with him and the BJP.
“Ajit Pawar Would Have Informed Me,” Says CM
Speaking to reporters at his official residence, Varsha, Fadnavis said that Ajit Pawar, who led the NCP faction allied with the BJP, shared a close working relationship with him.
He said Ajit Pawar would not have taken any major political decision without keeping him and the BJP leadership informed.
According to Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar shared almost everything with him, and there was no indication of any merger talks with the rival faction.
Last Conversation Before the Tragedy
“We Spoke for Over an Hour,” Fadnavis Reveals
Fadnavis said he had spoken to Ajit Pawar for more than an hour just a day before the tragic plane crash that claimed Pawar’s life.
He said there was no mention of merger discussions during that conversation and blamed vested interests for spreading false narratives following Pawar’s sudden death.
The chief minister said these rumours were being floated to create confusion and destabilise the current political arrangement.
Merger Claims After Ajit Pawar’s Death
After Ajit Pawar’s death on January 28, several leaders from the NCP (SP) claimed that talks to merge the two factions were at an advanced stage.
Sharad Pawar himself stated that February 12 had been finalised as the date for the merger and that Ajit Pawar was leading the discussions.
Fadnavis rejected these claims outright, calling them baseless and misleading.
“Why Would He Leave a Stable Government?” Asks Fadnavis
Fadnavis questioned the logic behind the merger rumours, saying Ajit Pawar’s party was firmly part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
He said even hypothetically, if Ajit Pawar had spoken to the other faction, it would not mean he planned to exit the government.
According to Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar would never have taken such a step without consulting alliance partners, especially the BJP.
Sunetra Pawar’s Swearing-In and Political Speculation
Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, was sworn in on Saturday as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and given charge of the excise, sports and minority affairs departments.
Some NCP sources claimed that her swearing-in was done swiftly to prevent any possibility of a merger between the two NCP factions.
Fadnavis, however, clarified that the decision to appoint Sunetra Pawar was an internal matter of the NCP and that the BJP had no role in it.
Finance Portfolio Retained by Fadnavis
Budget Preparation Cited as Reason
Fadnavis also explained why he retained charge of the finance department following Ajit Pawar’s death.
He said preparing the state budget is a complex and demanding process that involves extensive coordination, departmental meetings, and financial assessments.
Given the circumstances, it was collectively decided that he would handle the finance portfolio for now and present the budget to ensure continuity and smooth functioning.
He added that after the budget presentation, an amicable decision regarding portfolio allocation would be taken in consultation with the NCP.
Decision to Skip Local Body Poll Campaigning
The chief minister also announced that he would not campaign for the upcoming district council and panchayat samiti elections scheduled for February 7.
He said that campaigning often involves political attacks and criticism, and it would not be appropriate in the aftermath of Ajit Pawar’s death.
Fadnavis said he discussed this decision with BJP colleagues, who supported his view.
Political Uncertainty Amid Emotional Transition
The NCP had split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar led a majority of legislators away from Sharad Pawar’s faction and joined the BJP-led Mahayuti government.
With Ajit Pawar’s sudden death, political uncertainty and speculation have increased, but Fadnavis insisted that the government remains stable and united.
He said attempts to spread confusion through unverified claims would not succeed and that the focus should remain on governance and stability.
