A meeting was convened in Pune today, attended by prominent leaders including Jitendra Awad, Supriya Sule, Amol Kolhe, Srinivas Patil, and Rohit Pawar, among others. Mangaldas Bandal, representing the Sharad Pawar group, acknowledged ongoing discussions regarding a merger during the meeting, sparking further speculation.
In response to queries about the potential merger, NCP spokesperson Prashant Jagtap emphasized that the primary focus of the meeting was the ongoing legal case in the Supreme Court. Jagtap clarified that the meeting resolved to demand a swift decision from the court within the next few days. He reiterated the group's commitment to Sharad Pawar's leadership and expressed readiness to contest elections under his guidance.
Furthermore, Jagtap announced plans for a broader political gathering on February 24th, bringing together various political entities including Congress, Thackeray group, Aam Aadmi Party, CPI(M), and CPI. Sharad Pawar is scheduled to address another meeting in Manchar on February 21st.
However, amid speculation about a potential merger, Shashikant Shinde, a leader from the Sharad Pawar group, dismissed such claims. He clarified that the meeting primarily focused on preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and discussions within the Mahavikas Aghadi, with no mention of a merger.
Meanwhile, Mangaldas Bandal's comments regarding the merger being a national-level issue have fueled further speculation. While Bandal refrained from providing concrete details, his acknowledgment of ongoing discussions suggests that the possibility of a merger remains on the table, pending further deliberations.
Despite assurances from NCP spokesperson Prashant Jagtap that there are no immediate plans for a merger, the political landscape in Maharashtra remains dynamic, with alliances and realignments continuing to shape the course of state politics. As discussions evolve, the prospect of a merger between the Sharad Pawar group and Congress will likely remain a topic of keen interest and speculation among political observers and the public alike.