PUNE: In the wake of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash in Baramati, renewed speculation has emerged over a possible merger of the two factions of the
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), with close aides of the late leader claiming that such a move was imminent.
Some party leaders said Ajit Pawar had already prepared a roadmap for the reunification of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), as well as the future course of a united party.
However, leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction urged restraint in public discussions.
“Both Nationalist Congress parties will come together... Only three days have passed since the incident, so it would not be appropriate to discuss such matters at this moment,” senior NCP (SP) leader Eknath Khadse told news agency PTI on Friday.
Ajit Pawar, according to his close associate Kiran Gujar, was firmly committed to the merger and believed it would materialise soon. Gujar, who has been associated with Pawar since before his entry into politics in the mid-1980s, said that Pawar had confided in him just five days before Wednesday’s fatal crash.
“He was one hundred per cent keen on merging both the factions. He had told me five days ago that the entire process was complete and the merger was imminent in the next few days,” Gujar said.
After jointly contesting the January 15 civic polls in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, the two factions had decided to extend their alliance to the upcoming zilla parishad elections next month.
Gujar said Ajit Pawar had a clear plan not only for the merger but also for the future direction of the reunited party.
Asked whether discussions had been held with Sharad Pawar, Gujar said, “Positive talks were underway with Pawar saheb, Supriya Tai (Supriya Sule) and other leaders,” adding that there were indications the senior Pawar would endorse the move.
“Many positive things were on the cards, but this tragedy struck and took Ajit ‘dada’ away from us. Now, after his death, it has become even more imperative that both factions come together and work for the betterment of Baramati and the state,” Gujar said.
Gujar, who has been associated with the Pawar family for over four decades, remained with Ajit Pawar through his various political phases and was considered one of his closest confidants. Recalling Pawar’s early political years, he said that after Ajit Pawar won the election to the Chhatrapati Cooperative Sugar Mill in 1981, he was encouraged to enter politics.
“Initially, he was reluctant and wanted to focus on the family and farming. However, after Pawar saheb (Sharad Pawar) became chief minister in the late 1980s, there was a need for young leadership in Baramati, and dada fulfilled that role,” Gujar said. “The development (of the area) will continue, but a leader like Ajit dada will not emerge again.”
Meanwhile, senior NCP leaders moved quickly to address the political vacuum created by
Ajit Pawar’s death, urging his wife and Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar to return to active state politics and assume leadership of the party, possibly as deputy chief minister.
Party leaders met Sunetra Pawar, 62, at her residence on Thursday to offer condolences and press her to join the Mahayuti government and take charge of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. Those present included working president Praful Patel, state unit chief Sunil Tatkare and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal, sources said.
Party functionaries indicated that a meeting would be held in Mumbai soon to choose the NCP legislature party leader. “The immediate priority is to stabilise,” a senior party member said.
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