Pune: Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar’s move to join the state cabinet without consulting Sharad Pawar – the senior member of the family – virtually snowballed into a roadblock for merger of the two NCP factions, besides creating an uneasiness in the family.NCP (SP) members have been attaching emotion to the merger issue by claiming that unification of NCPs was late Ajit Pawar‘s last wish. NCP seniors kept avoiding discussions on the issue though, indicating that they were not too keen to take forward the merger talks Ajit and NCP (SP)’s former state president Jayant Patil had started a few months ago.NCP (SP) chief and Ajit’s uncle Sharad Saturday hinted at derailment of merger talks when he said, “Ajit had finalised Feb 12 for the formal merger after holding multiple meetings with Patil, but before that announcement, the tragedy struck. Now, after the unfortunate incident, talks between the two parties are likely to be stalled.” Following Ajit’s tragic death in a plane crash, NCP (SP) members claimed unification of both factions would be a tribute to him. “Reunion (of NCPs) was Ajit’s wish, and we feel his wish should be fulfilled. Now, Patil and others will decide the future course of action,” Sharad said. Ajit and Patil discussed the merger issue over the past four-five months.Patil said, “He (Ajit) and I discussed the merger over dinner. He wanted to make it happen at the earliest and seek blessings of Pawar saheb. After his death, Sunetra vahini can take the lead in fulfilling his wish.”NCP member and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who took the lead in convincing Sunetra to join the state cabinet, remained non-committal on the merger issue.
