NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday claimed he had “no idea” about the swearing-in of Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, and said that his late nephew had finalised February 12 to announce a merger between the NCP factions. Addressing a press conference in Baramati, Sharad Pawar said that it was Ajit Pawar’s wish to unite the NCP factions, and that they were optimistic about it. “We didn’t know about the swearing-in. We found out about it through news reports. I have no idea about the swearing-in,” he said, when asked if anyone from the Pawar family would be attending the ceremony. The senior leader said that the NCP may have made the decision, and there had been no discussions with him.

 

“I am not aware of the swearing-in. I didn’t even know that it was scheduled for today. There was no discussion with me about the swearing-in. Her party (NCP) may have made the decision. The names of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare came up, and it is learnt that they took the initiative. They might have taken a decision internally within the party,” he said. The NCP (SP) chief said that the ruling faction may have felt that someone should take up the post after Ajit Pawar’s death. Parth Pawar, son of Ajit Pawar, met Pawar senior at the latter’s residence, Govindbaug. NCP MP Supriya Sule, MLA Rohit Pawar, and Yugendra Pawar were also present. Asked if he was taken into confidence before Sunetra Pawar’s name was proposed for the deputy chief minister’s post, Pawar said, “What kind of confidence? Their party is different. Our party is different.”

 

The former Union Minister also denied any knowledge of the BJP’s involvement in the developments. On theories being floated about the plane crash, Sharad Pawar said that the DGCA had initiated the probe and would examine all aspects. The process to merge the NCP (SP) and NCP may now face a roadblock due to the death of Ajit Pawar, said Sharad Pawar on Saturday. The process to merge the two factions was underway for the past four months under Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil, the NCP (SP) chief told reporters in Baramati. “We cannot bring Ajit back. We have lost him. Now we have to see how to face the situation,” he said. “All discussions were held at their level, but it now appears the process may hit a roadblock following the (plane) accident. The talks were progressing in a positive direction, but the accident adversely affected the process,” the former Union minister said. Efforts were being made to establish cordial dialogue between the two factions, he added. Asked whether the merger process would continue, Sharad Pawar said he did not know as he was not part of these discussions.