NCP merger could not happen without BJP having information: Fadnavis

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis on Sunday said that if talks about the merger of Nationalist Congress Party NCP factions were at an advanced stage the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would have informed him reported the PTISpeaking to reporters CM Fadnavis said that Ajit Pawar who died in a plane crash in Baramati in Pune district in Maharashtra on January 28 shared all important political matters with himHe said he had no information about any proposed merger dateHis statement came a day after NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar claimed that February 12 had been finalised to announce a merger between the two NCP factionsSharad Pawar also said the process could now face hurdles following Ajit Pawarrsquos death A video of a meeting between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar held on January 17 has since gone viral on social medialsquoNo Merger Without BJPrsquos KnowledgersquoCM Fadnavis said he was unaware of any such discussions or datesldquoCan merger talks be finalised without our knowledge We have no information about February 12 being the announcement daterdquo he saidHe added that while the NCP is an independent party it is part of the BJPled alliance and is expected to consult allies before taking such major decisionsResponding to reports that the BJP opposed the merger CM Fadnavis said his party had not opposed anyoneldquoIf Ajit Pawar was working on a merger would he have done so without taking the BJP into confidence Would he have prepared to leave the NDA when he was politically stable He shared everything with merdquo the Chief Minister said the news agency reportedFinance portfolio to stay with me till state budget FadnavisDays after Ajit Pawars death CM Fadnavis on Sunday stated that state the finance ministry a portfolio earlier handled by late NCP chief would now be with him until the budget reported the PTIOn Saturday Ajit Pawarrsquos wife Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Maharashtrarsquos Deputy Chief Minister becoming the first woman to hold the postShe was given charge of excise sports minority development and Aukaf departments but not the finance and planning portfolio earlier handled by her husbandCM Fadnavis who now has finance portfolio said ldquoI will present the state budget Preparing a budget is not just about delivering a speech it requires multiple departmental meetings It was not possible to immediately hand over this responsibility to Sunetra Pawar We will take a decision on the finance portfolio after the budget session according to the PTISunetra Pawarrsquos oathtakingAddressing criticism over the speed of Sunetra Pawarrsquos oathtaking CM Fadnavis said that the NCP would respond to itHe added that political decisions are often shaped by circumstances citing the example of Rajiv Gandhi being sworn in as Prime Minister in 1984 even before Indira Gandhirsquos cremationThe Chief Minister also said he will not campaign for the February 7 Zilla Parishad elections in the state following Ajit Pawarrsquos death as per the PTIHe explained that public meetings often lead to political statements which should be avoided during this periodMeanwhile on the firing incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shettyrsquos home in Mumbai earlier on Sunday CM Fadnavis said that the scooter used by the assailants has been recovered and the person involved has been identifiedwith PTI inputs