Senior leaders of NCP knew about the merger, says Jayant Patil

Nationalist Congress Event (NCP-SP) senior leader Jayant Patil on Saturday (January 31, 2026) claimed that senior leaders of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal knew in regards to the merge of the two factions, announcing the merger used to be finalised in mid-January and used to be scheduled to presented in mid-February.

Mr. Patil stated that after assembly with Ajit Pawar on January 16, they went to fulfill Sharad Pawar on January 17. A gathering used to be held in Baramati.

In step with Mr. Patil, the occasion made up our minds the merger on January 16 and planned to command the merger on February 8 after the Zilla Parishad elections scheduled on February 5. Then again, it used to be postponed to February 12 as Mr. Patil used to be disclose to wait on a wedding in Delhi all the arrangement in which thru that time.

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“Ajit Pawar educated Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal and other leaders of his plans of merger. Earlier than the merger opinion, numerous dialogue had been at my self-discipline. No longer decrease than met 8 to 10 situations and he expressed his desire of merger. He wished to construct up both NCP collectively in presence of Sharad Pawar and put your total difference of closing 2.5 years in the support of,” Mr. Patil claimed.

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The statements of NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil and Sharad Pawar had has triggered fresh political debate following Ajit Pawar’s loss of life on Wednesday (January 28). The statements additionally comes earlier than oath ceremony scheduled on Saturday (January 31) as Ajit Pawar’s spouse and Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar at risk of appointed as Deputy Chief Minister.

Mr. Pawar additionally addressed a press meet in Baramati, highlighting the particulars of merger opinion, announcing he had no thought related to the choice on vacant put up of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and appointment of his daughter-in-law.

In the intervening time, a video has additionally surfaced on-line, exhibiting the January 17 assembly, where discussions on a imaginable merger of the two NCP factions at Govind Baug, Baramati, has been discussed.