Even as NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Saturday said that the entire Pawar family had reunited, which was what NCP chief Ajit Pawar had dreamed of, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare, who had resisted any discussion on a merger, said the issue will be discussed with Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar when she comes to Mumbai.
“It was Ajit Pawar’s wish that the entire family should come together, and he was making efforts… Be it Supriya tai or Pawar saheb, we were all making similar efforts. As a Pawar family, we are united, and Ajitdada’s dream that the family should remain united will surely manifest itself. Today, everyone came together spontaneously. The family is coming together once again,” Rohit Pawar said after casting his vote in the Zilla Parishad elections in Baramati on Saturday.
Elections to 12 zilla parishads and panchayat samitis in Maharashtra were scheduled to be held on Thursday, but were postponed to Saturday following the death of Ajit Pawar. The results will be announced on Monday.
Reiterating that his uncle wanted as many of his followers and workers to be elected in the zilla Parisad and Panchayat Samiti elections, Rohit added, “Today we have to acknowledge that this was his ultimate dream. I have exercised my right to vote today along with my family. I am confident that the voters and workers will fulfill Dada’s dream of seeing his followers elected to the Zilla Parisad in large numbers.”
Talking about a viral video featuring himself, Sharad Pawar, Ajit’s son Parth Pawar, Rohit said, “We had an emotional conversation. There are certain things we will have to do in the coming times, not political.” The video shows Rohit and Parth having lively discussions with Sharad Pawar, something that has never been seen in the past.
Close relatives said the video shown has firmly united the family. “The entire Pawar family is firmly united. They are all together and are now supporting Sunetra Pawar for the post of national president. Otherwise, Rohit Pawar would not have made such a statement just for the sake of it. It is a well-planned statement that indicates their unity,” said a close aide of the Pawar family.
Regarding the merger, Rohit said, “I see Ajit kaka (uncle) in Sunetra kaki (aunt). There is a sincere desire that the vacant post of NCP national president be given to Sunetra kaki.”
Also on Thursday he made a similar statement endorsing Ajit’s wife Sunetra Pawar as NCP national president. “As the Pawar family, we wish that after taking over as Deputy Chief Minister, Sunetra Kaki will be the next national president of the NCP.”
In a social media post on Wednesday, Rohit asked voters to ensure NCP’s victory in the Zilla Parisad polls. “It is a request to all the voters of Zilla Parisads, where elections are scheduled, to consider this an appropriate time to cooperate in supporting the ideology of Ajit Pawar by remembering him. It will be a true tribute to the late leader by continuing his legacy of thought,” he had said.
For the last four days, the entire Pawar family, both Ajit Pawar’s and Sharad Pawar’s family, have been seen together at the Sahyug Society in Baramati. Ajit Pawar’s family lives in the Sahyug Society.
As for the plan accidentRohit Pawar said that he will make a detailed presentation in this regard in Bombay on February 10. “Questions and doubts are being raised regarding the air crash. Several questions like how and why the crash occurred remain unanswered…I will address these issues during the press conference in Mumbai,” he said. “On February 10 and 12 I will reveal everything about the plane crash and the issue of mergers,” he said.
Speaking to reporters in Raigad on Saturday, Tatkare, who has repeatedly harped on the issue of NCP being linked with the NDA and refused to speak on the merger issue, indicated that the issue would now be discussed with MCD Sunetra Pawar, who would be in Mumbai next week.
“We had collectively taken the decision to join the NDA under the leadership of Ajit Dada… I have been saying this repeatedly when Ajit Pawar is alive… We will hold discussions on the merger,” he said.
Tatkare said the state cabinet meeting is scheduled in Mumbai on February 10, which will be attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. “At that time, we will certainly discuss this issue with her. Also, Sunetra Pawar may visit Delhi to meet President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi… We will sit at an appropriate time and deliberate on the issue,” he said.
Tatkare said: “The NCP is the political family of Ajitdada… We will take a decision in this regard appropriately.”
However, when contacted, Tatkare told this newspaper: “I don’t know what inference the media has drawn from my statement. But I want to tell you that there are several issues that we will discuss with the Deputy Chief Minister when she comes to Mumbai next week.” He declined to answer a question about whether the merger will be part of the discussion.
Speaking to a news channel, Tatkare said, “Rohit Pawar has no right to talk about the NCP. He should investigate his own party.” Rohit Pawar responded by saying, “I may not have the moral right to speak about the NCP, but I have the emotional right to speak about what Ajit Pawar and some people close to him had told me.”
When asked about the merger discussions, NCP minister Hassan Mushrif told reporters in Kolhapur that Ajit Pawar was the main person involved in the merger talks with NCP (SP) leaders. He stated that none of the other leaders were key participants in that process.
However, he said, “If Sunetra vahini (sister-in-law), family and all party leaders are in favor of a meeting, there is no reason for any hindrance. Whatever decision the party takes, I will stand by it.”