NEW DELHI: After speculations over the merger of both the factions of NCP after Ajit Pawar death in a plane crash, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he was not aware of Ajit Pawar’s talks with his uncle Sharad Pawar.Pointing out that Ajit Pawar shared everything with him, Fadnavis questioned the possibility of talks on NCP merger be finalised without our knowledge.”Can the merger talks be finalised without our knowledge? We are not aware of the February 12 date being claimed as the date for the formal announcement of the merger,” he said.”If Ajit Pawar was working on a merger, would he do so without taking the BJP into confidence? Was he preparing to quit the NDA where he was stable? He shared everything with me,” he added.Budget 2026’Nothing for common man, Bengal’: Mamata slams Centre’s ‘Humpty Dumpty’ budgetUnion Budget 2026-27: What gets cheaper, what gets costlierLatest income tax slabs FY 2026-27: What are the income tax slabs, rates under new and old tax regime after Budget 2026? Check full details & FAQsThis comes after Sharad Pawar claimed that his nephew and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had finalised February 12 to announce the “merger” between the factions and that the process to merge may now face a roadblock due to the latter’s death.A video of the January 17 meeting between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar has also gone viral on social media.Earlier on Saturday, Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and was allotted excise, sports, minority development and Aukaf departments, but not finance and planning which her late husband held.CM Fadnavis currently holds the charge of the crucial finance portfolio and will present the upcoming state budget.Asked about keeping the finance portfolio with himself, Fadnavis said he had spoken to NCP leaders.”I will present the state budget. The budget is not merely about making a speech but involves a series of departmental meetings. Such a big exercise was not immediately possible for Sunetra Pawar, and it is wrong to expect it of her. We will take a call (on the finance portfolio) after the budget session,” he said.Responding to criticism over the haste in the oath-taking of Sunetra Pawar, the chief minister said the NCP would reply to it, adding that decisions are often driven by circumstances. Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in (as prime minister on October 31, 1984) even before Indira Gandhi’s cremation, he noted.In 2023, Ajit Pawar, along with a group of senior leaders, parted ways with Sharad Pawar and joined hands with the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. He had raised objections over Sharad Pawar continuing to lead the party despite his advanced age.Ajit was sworn in as deputy chief minister under the new alliance. The Election Commission later recognised Ajit Pawar’s faction as the legitimate NCP, retaining the ‘clock’ symbol.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBudget 2026 Overview: What Citizens And Businesses Should KnowBudget 2026 Sets Long-Term Direction For India’s Economic Growth: KidwaiGrowth Momentum Will Continue Says FM Sitharaman As Budget 2026 Bets On Tech Cities And Reforms“All Talk, No Solutions” Oppn Slams Centre Over Economy, JobsUnion Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman Announces Key Customs Duty Relief Across Key SectorsPM Modi Calls Budget 2026 Historic As Reforms Empower Youth Women And India’s Growth Push’Nothing For Bengal’: Mamata Banerjee Attacks ‘Humpty Dumpty’ Union Budget 2026 As Markets TumbleIn First Budget Since Sindoor, FM Sends Signal On Security As Defence Outlay Jumps To ₹7.85L CroreTax Holidays, Safe Harbour, Incentives: Budget 2026 Pushes Investment In India, Boosts IT SectorBudget 2026 Brings New Income Tax Act From April With No Slab Change But Major Compliance Reset123Photostories6 tips to bake a perfect cake in an air fryerUnion Budget 2026: Complete list of commodities that will get cheaper and costlier in the food and beverage industryUnion Budget 2026: 6 nuts that got attention of the government and whyRohit Shetty, Salman Khan, Rakesh Roshan: Bollywood celebs who faced gunshot incidentsNo one Killed Jessica’, ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway’, ‘Veer-Zaara’: 5 fearless roles that prove Rani Mukerji is Bollywood’s ultimate Mardani!Union Budget 2026: From coconut to chocolate, things which have got attention in this year’s budget and whyTaylor Swift’s 7 most expensive possessionsCJ Roy death case: What remains unclear as the probe continues7 most memorable Grammy moments to rewind before the 2026 awardsBudget-friendly destinations in 2026: 8 Indian places that should be on every traveller’s wish list this year123Hot PicksBudget highlights 2026Budget Income Tax SlabUnion Budget 2026February 2026 bank changesIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingNirmala Sitharaman SareeMany Pacquiao vs Conor Height DifferenceBengaluru Worker Dead NewsMLB Trade RumorsDwyane Wade WifeSnowboarder Ryan Wedding CaseUnion Budget Speech LiveStock Market BudgetUnion Budget SpeechGold Silver Rate Today
NEW DELHI: After speculations over the merger of both the factions of NCP after Ajit Pawar death in a plane crash, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he was not aware of Ajit Pawar’s talks with his uncle Sharad Pawar.Pointing out that Ajit Pawar shared everything with him, Fadnavis questioned the possibility of talks on NCP merger be finalised without our knowledge.“Can the merger talks be finalised without our knowledge? We are not aware of the February 12 date being claimed as the date for the formal announcement of the merger,” he said.“If Ajit Pawar was working on a merger, would he do so without taking the BJP into confidence? Was he preparing to quit the NDA where he was stable? He shared everything with me,” he added.This comes after Sharad Pawar claimed that his nephew and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had finalised February 12 to announce the “merger” between the factions and that the process to merge may now face a roadblock due to the latter’s death.A video of the January 17 meeting between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar has also gone viral on social media.Earlier on Saturday, Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and was allotted excise, sports, minority development and Aukaf departments, but not finance and planning which her late husband held.CM Fadnavis currently holds the charge of the crucial finance portfolio and will present the upcoming state budget.Asked about keeping the finance portfolio with himself, Fadnavis said he had spoken to NCP leaders.“I will present the state budget. The budget is not merely about making a speech but involves a series of departmental meetings. Such a big exercise was not immediately possible for Sunetra Pawar, and it is wrong to expect it of her. We will take a call (on the finance portfolio) after the budget session,” he said.Responding to criticism over the haste in the oath-taking of Sunetra Pawar, the chief minister said the NCP would reply to it, adding that decisions are often driven by circumstances. Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in (as prime minister on October 31, 1984) even before Indira Gandhi’s cremation, he noted.In 2023, Ajit Pawar, along with a group of senior leaders, parted ways with Sharad Pawar and joined hands with the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. He had raised objections over Sharad Pawar continuing to lead the party despite his advanced age.Ajit was sworn in as deputy chief minister under the new alliance. The Election Commission later recognised Ajit Pawar’s faction as the legitimate NCP, retaining the ‘clock’ symbol.
