Will have to talk to BJP for NCP merger, says Sunil Tatkare

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar/ Jalna: The Nationalist Congress Party will have to consult the BJP if the possibility of merger with the rival Sharad Pawar-led faction arises, senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare said here on Friday.

As of now, the chances of the NCP led by Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the rival NCP (SP) coming together are remote, he said.

Tatkare, who heads the state NCP, held a press conference here before leaving for a Marathwada tour.

"No discussion is underway (about unification). But we have passed a resolution openly that we will stay with the NDA. Those who accept it, will join us," he said.

"There is no discussion on unification even within our core group. Even when such a situation arises and time comes to come together, we will have to talk to the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, because the top leadership of BJP took us with them. Consulting them is natural," Tatkare said.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP joined hands with the ruling BJP in Maharashtra in July 2023.

Speaking in Jalna, Tatkare condemned the scuffle in the legislature complex between supporters of NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar on Thursday.

"The assembly has a tradition of dignity and decorum. What happened is highly deplorable. The assembly speaker and council chairperson must take appropriate action. The respective parties should also take disciplinary steps against their supporters involved in the scuffle," he said.

He also condemned Padalkar's alleged derogatory remarks against Christian religious leaders.

"Maharashtra is the land of reformers like Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Political leaders must refrain from making such provocative statements and maintain public decency," Tatkare asserted.

He slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for criticising the Election Commission over the party's loss in Maharashtra assembly polls.

"His statements are childish and irresponsible. As leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi holds a constitutional position. Such immature remarks do not suit a person of his stature. It seems he cannot digest the Congress' defeat in Maharashtra," Tatkare said.

The Congress' Jalna city chief Shaikh Mahmood officially joined the NCP during Tatkare's press conference.