Supriya Sule Denies Merger Talks to Reunify NCP Factions
Supriya Sule and other NCP leaders have denied current merger talks to reunify the party's rival factions following the death of Ajit Pawar.
National Working President Supriya Sule ruled out ongoing merger talks to reunify the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party on November 12. Speaking from New Delhi, Sule stated that no one has approached her with a proposal and asserted that the possibility of reunification ended with the death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28.
These denials follow speculation triggered by a November 1 meeting between six senior NCP leaders and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. While Sule acknowledged that discussions occurred while Ajit Pawar was alive, she maintained that his demise changed the situation. Sunil Tatkare, State President of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, also stated there is no substance to current speculation, though he previously noted the factions would have reunited on February 12 had Ajit Pawar survived.
Adding to the clarifications, MLA Rohit Patil denied making any statements regarding a possible merger or support for the rival faction. Patil stated he was unaware of reports circulating in his name and confirmed that no discussions with party leadership had occurred. Tatkare added that any eventual decision regarding a merger would rest with National President Sunetra Pawar and Sharad Pawar.
