MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT), through its mouthpiece 'Saamana', warned the NCP SP that the merger talks should not allow political developments to undermine the legacy of Sharad Pawar.
Shiv Sena (UBT) editorial questioned the credibility of merger talks between two NCP factions, accusing leaders of creating confusion in Maharashtra politics.
It stated that the merger of the two NCP factions has turned into a political drama, with no clarity over the intentions of the leaders involved.
The editorial said that while a handful of leaders in Sharad Pawar’s party might be aspiring to ministerial positions, it would be inappropriate for the veteran politician Sharad Pawar to sacrifice the political legacy and ideals he has nurtured over several decades to fulfil their ambitions.
Questioning the direction of the merger exercise, the Shiv Sena (UBT) asked who would eventually merge with whom. It criticised the discussions between Sharad Pawar’s faction and the group that joined the BJP-led alliance, alleging that such political manoeuvring was creating an atmosphere of confusion and suspicion in Maharashtra.
It further said that leaders such as Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil and Shashikant Shinde should not get carried away by the ongoing political developments.
Describing the merger discussions as a combination of political drama and a sporting contest, the editorial said the entire exercise had become a source of entertainment for the people of Maharashtra.
It compared the developments to a game of kabaddi, in which political opponents attempt to pull each other down, and at times to hide-and-seek. According to the editorial, neither the rules nor the eventual outcome of this political game are clear.
On one side are Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, Rohit Pawar and Shashikant Shinde, while the other side comprises Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar, Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare.
The Saamana editorial likened the merger exercise to a political version of the Marathi phrase ‘Dar Ughad Baye Dar Ughad’ (Open the Door), saying that leaders from both sides keep knocking on each other’s doors.
"Meetings and discussions take place, but the outcome remains uncertain."
It also referred to the discussions and meetings that reportedly took place between Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil during Ajit Pawar’s lifetime. The editorial claimed that the two leaders had held as many as 27 rounds of discussions or preparatory meetings on the proposed merger. However, Ajit Pawar’s death brought the process to a halt, it said.
The editorial also questioned the changing statements of leaders such as Sunil Tatkare. It recalled that some leaders had earlier maintained that there had never been any discussion between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar on a merger.
They were now claiming that Ajit Pawar had been keen on bringing the two factions together and had been making efforts towards that end.
