Mumbai, April 1 Maharashtra minister Aditi Tatkare said on Wednesday that NCP workers will support whatever decision NCP chief Sunetra Pawar takes regarding the merger of rival NCP factions.
Claims and counter-claims about the possible merger of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) emerged following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28. Ajit Pawar then headed the ruling NCP, while his wife Sunetra Pawar currently leads the party.
"Party workers stand firmly behind Sunetra Pawar and will support decisions taken under her leadership," Tatkare told reporters in response to a query about merger talks.
Speaking about the death of Ajit Pawar, Tatkare said the party has sought a thorough investigation by central and state agencies, including the CBI and the CID, to determine whether it was an accident or an act of foul play.
She expressed confidence that leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, would ensure justice.
Regarding the ruling Mahayuti alliance contesting the upcoming bypolls to the Rahuri (Ahilyanagar) and Baramati (Pune) assembly constituencies, Tatkare said that the coalition comprising BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena takes decisions collectively, and candidates fielded by any constituent are treated as joint nominees.
"We will request the opposition parties to allow Sunetra Pawar to contest the election in Baramati unopposed," she said.
She cited a tradition in Maharashtra politics, where parties generally avoid fielding a candidate against a deceased leader's family member, and appealed for a consensus approach.
Responding to queries on internal party issues and allegations against the NCP campaign agency, she said that such matters were being "unnecessarily exaggerated" and would be addressed within the party if required.
Tatkare also said that the deadline for e-KYC compliance for the Ladki Bahin scheme has been extended until April 30 to allow beneficiaries to correct any errors made during earlier submissions.