Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Nov 6: The possibility of a merger of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) gained momentum once again on Friday following a meeting between the NCP senior leader Praful Patel and the veteran leader and founder of the party Sharad Pawar at the Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai on Thursday evening.
Mr Patel apparently had gone to the hospital to inquire about the veteran leader’s health who was admitted in the hospital on Thursday with symptoms of bronchitis. The party sources claimed that Mr Patel besides inquiring about his health, also discussed the merger plan with Mr Pawar. Sources claimed that the Ajit Pawar-led NCP camp wants the two sides to reunite in Maharashtra, while the BJP is interested that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) become part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The current NCP leaders, Sunetra Pawar and her son Parth Pawar, however, are reportedly opposed to the proposal, adding another layer of uncertainty to the possibility of a united NCP. Mr Sharad Pawar and leaders of the party close to the veteran leader have repeatedly denied any move for the merger after the death in an air crash of Mr Ajit Pawar earlier this year.
According to sources, Mr Patel and Mr Pawar also reportedly discussed the message Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed to Sharad Pawar. With Sharad Pawar repeatedly being admitted to hospital, questions are being raised over whether Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar will eventually agree to the growing demand for a united NCP.
A merger could offer significant political advantages to the BJP. The party could gain the support of eight key MPs from the NCP (SP) camp which can potentially strengthen its position in Parliament. Moreover, Sharad Pawar is among the most senior leaders in the I.N.D.I.A bloc. His possible entry into the NDA could deal a setback to the opposition alliance and weaken the political momentum building against the ruling coalition.
The proposed merger could also offer political and ministerial advantages to the Sharad Pawar faction. Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar’s daughter, could get a Cabinet ministerial position, while her political future could become more secure within a united NCP, as per sources. Similarly, senior NCP leader Jayant Patil could be given the Finance portfolio in the Maharashtra Cabinet. However, Mr Shard Pawar’s entry could considerably weaken the clout Mr Sunetra Pawar and her son Parth are currently enjoying in the NDA set up.
The 85-year old Sharad Pawar was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after developing a cough and an infection. According to his doctor, he was showing symptoms similar to bronchitis. He is currently undergoing treatment and is said to be in a stable condition.
Earlier, Pawar had been discharged from Pune’s Ruby Hall Clinic, where he had been admitted for two days. During his hospitalisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called him to enquire about his health.
Vitthal Maniyar, a close friend of Sharad Pawar, had told the media that during the conversation, PM Modi conveyed a message to the senior NCP leader, saying that Supriya Sule was ready and that they were prepared to take care of the country. He also reportedly told Pawar not to worry about the country and to focus on his health.
Ms Sule on Friday said Mr Sharad Pawar was recovering and would be discharged from Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday morning. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee spoke to her over phone to inquire about her father’s health, Ms Sule added.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday visited Mr Pawar in the hospital. “He (Pawar) is doing very well. There is no reason to worry…. He is in good condition, and his willpower is strong,” Mr Shinde said while talking to reporters.
Mr Shinde said during the hospital visit, Mr Pawar enquired about the drought situation in the State, particularly Satara — both prominent politicians have their ancestral roots in the western Maharashtra district. The Deputy CM, who heads the ruling coalition ally Shiv Sena, maintained the former Union agriculture minister was sensitive to the drought situation, where 304 talukas are facing a severe water scarcity due to a deficient monsoon this year. The Shiv Sena chief insisted no political inference should be drawn from the meeting with Pawar.