Mumbai, Feb 13 (NationPress) As discussions continue regarding the potential unification of the two factions within the Nationalist Congress Party – the camps of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar – NCP (Ajit Pawar) working president Praful Patel stated on Friday that the primary objective is to unite in support of its leadership and fortify the organization.

Patel chose not to comment on the merger between the two factions of the NCP.

He announced that Sunetra Pawar is set to be elected as the NCP national president within the next two weeks, indicating that he will not be contesting for the top position.

This statement from Patel follows a meeting he had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan three days prior.

His emphasis on strengthening the party's organization aligns with its recent success in the Pune Zilla Parishad and positive performances in other zilla parishads, including Kolhapur, as well as in various panchayat samitis.

Patel's comments also come a day after NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule acknowledged in New Delhi that discussions regarding a merger had occurred with the late Ajit Pawar, but stressed that revisiting the topic is unnecessary after his unexpected passing.

On Wednesday, state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare clarified that the party is part of the NDA and intends to remain so.

When questioned about the party's position on a possible merger, Tatkare remarked: “Where does the question of our party's stance even arise? We are in the NDA. While Dada (Ajit Pawar) was alive, I repeatedly clarified our position — that we made a collective decision to join the NDA under his leadership. That decision was valid yesterday, remains valid today, and will continue to be so in the future. Therefore, someone else needs to clarify regarding the NDA.”

He reiterated that Ajit Pawar supported being in government with the BJP from 2014 to 2019, and asserted the party's commitment to the NDA.

However, Maharashtra NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Shashikant Shinde, in a commemorative piece for the party's magazine, discussed what he referred to as the underlying factors behind the split and alleged merger discussions.

Shinde claimed that former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was compelled to leave the original NCP due to threats and plots orchestrated by “invisible powers.”

He further stated that a resolution to merge the two factions was reached on February 12 in the presence of Sharad Pawar.

In a noteworthy claim, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders agreed to transfer complete control of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Achieving this merger and revitalizing the party with strength would be the only genuine tribute to Ajit Dada,” Shinde expressed.