Ajit Pawar Never Discussed NCP Merger with Me, Claims CM Devendra Fadnavis; Advises NCP to Consult BJP

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed claims by leaders of Sharad Pawar’s faction regarding a planned merger with Ajit Pawar’s group in the NCP. Fadnavis stated that the late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar never discussed any merger with him, adding that if the talks had reached a final stage, Ajit would have shared it.

“The NCP is an independent party, but as an NDA ally, it is expected to consult us before taking any major decisions,” Fadnavis said. He emphasized that Ajit Pawar always shared relevant information with him and would not have kept such a significant matter hidden. Fadnavis also expressed that he has no knowledge of Ajit Pawar’s conversations with Sharad Pawar or the reported merger announcement scheduled for 12 February.

Setting a condition for any future merger, Fadnavis said that if the NCP decides to merge factions, it should consult the BJP first. His remarks have added to the uncertainty surrounding the potential unification of the NCP.

On a related note, when asked about the Finance Department, Fadnavis clarified that he has retained the state’s Finance and Planning portfolios. “Budget preparation is not just about a speech; it involves several departmental meetings. It was not feasible for Sunetra Pawar to immediately take on such a large responsibility,” he said. Sunetra Pawar has been assigned Excise, Sports, Minority Development, and Wakf departments, but not Finance or Planning, which were previously under Ajit Pawar.