NCP Maharashtra State President Sunil Tatkare on Saturday said the party's legislature members will meet at 2 PM to elect the leader of the Legislature Party, with Sunetra Pawar expected to be chosen.
Regarding the possibility of mergers with other parties, Patil stated that the option is currently closed following the demise of Ajit Pawar, but hinted that party leaders would deliberate on the issue and engage in talks with the NDA before making any decisions.
Ajit Pawar, 66, died in a plane crash along with four others on Wednesday, after which his wife Sunetra Pawar is speculated to take up the vacant Deputy CM post.
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil on Saturday questioned the rush to fill the Deputy Chief Minister post in Maharashtra, saying that it is not a constitutional post and had only been vacant for three days following Ajit Pawar's death.
NCP Maharashtra State President Sunil Tatkare on Saturday refused to comment on NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar's remarks stating that he had no information about NCP MP and Ajit Pawar's widow Sunetra Pawar being pitched for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
"When someone dies, nothing is done for 12-13 days...They don't celebrate any festivals or anything throughout the year. But politics disregards all rituals and traditions. They didn't wait for 13 days...But here, preparations are underway for the Deputy CM oath......," Raj told ANI.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief, Sharad Pawar, on Saturday refuted the speculation around the merger of two NCP factions after Ajit Pawar's demise.
Ajit Pawar's wife and NCP MP Sunetra Pawar will take oath as the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, party spokesperson Rupali Patil Thombare said.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief and Ajit Pawar's uncle, Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that he has no information about NCP MP Sunetra Pawar's name being pitched for the post of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.
"The decision will be taken by the NCP. We will stand by whatever decision the NCP takes...We are standing by the family of Ajit Pawar and NCP," Devendra Fadnavis told reporters.