Sharad Pawar Addresses NCP Merger Talks, Denies Fadnavis's Involvement After Ajit Pawar's Death

Following the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28, his widow Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as the new Deputy CM. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar stated that merger talks between the two NCP factions, led by Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil, were ongoing but denied involvement or commentary by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Sharad Pawar emphasized the party's current focus on supporting the family and declined to discuss political decisions. Closed-door meetings involving Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar's sons have taken place, possibly addressing the merger and upcoming elections. Sharad Pawar also expressed concerns over the Union Budget and reaffirmed his opposition to the BJP-led government.