Sharad Pawar faction MLAs trying to merge with Congress, Ajit camp leader claims

“Five to six MLAs from NCP (Sharad Pawar) are trying to get in touch with the Congress leadership," Sunil Tatkare claimed.

Published on: May 31, 2024, 19:45:30 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A few legislators from the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) want to merge with the Congress, according to Sunil Tatkare, the Maharashtra unit president of the Ajit Pawar-headed group of the NCP.

“Five to six MLAs from NCP (Sharad Pawar) are trying to get in touch with the Congress leadership. This group wants to merge with the Congress,” Tatkare told reporters on Friday.

His statement comes days after Sharad Pawar, who founded NCP in 1999 – the party saw a vertical split in July last year into factions headed by Sharad and Ajit, the former's nephew – said in an interview that in the near future, several regional parties could merge in the Congress.

Also Read | NCP working with Congress since foundation: Sharad Pawar

The Maharashtra-based NCP came into existence after Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma, and Tariq Anwar, were expelled from the grand old party.

The Election Commission recognises the Ajit group as the “real” NCP.

‘Tatkare trying to please BJP’: NCP (SP)

Responding to Tatkare's claim, NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto stated that the former was trying to “please” the BJP.

“He (Tatkare) knows that his party will not win a single Lok Sabha seat in the state. He is making such comments to stay relevant and to please the BJP,” Crasto asserted.

The Ajit-led NCP governs Maharashtra in alliance with the BJP and chief minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. NCP (SP), on the other hand, is member of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition with the Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).

Also Read | ‘Zero plus zero’: Sanjay Nirupam on what if Sharad Pawar merges party with Congress

The Shiv Sena, too, had suffered a split, in June 2022, with Eknath Shinde rebelling against then Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, leading to collapse of the MVA regime. Shinde succeeded Thackeray as chief minister as well.

The Shinde camp is recognised as the “real” Shiv Sena by the Election Commission.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Sunil Tatkare

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.