If Sharad and Ajit Pawar join hands, party workers will welcome it, says Anna Bansode

Bansode, an MLA from Pimpri Assembly seat in Pune district, is considered as one of the most loyal MLAs of Ajit Pawar.

Bansode said that the reports of leaders from two parties trying to thwart the chances of merger of two parties are absolutely wrong. “Every worker, leader and legislator will be happy if this happens,” he said.

When asked whether the decision of merger will be taken only within the Pawar family, Bansode said that Ajit Pawar will not go ahead without consulting every worker of the party. “Ultimately every worker joined the NCP by trusting Ajit dada. He will consult with every office-bearer, MLA, MP, worker before taking the decision,” he said, adding that if Sharad Pawar takes a lead, he will get response from Ajit Pawar as well.

“A common worker like me feels that if the two parties come together, then it will be good for the future of the state,” he added.

Earlier in May, in an interview with The Indian Express, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had acknowledged internal divisions within his party on the question of reuniting with Ajit Pawar’s faction. “There are two views in the party. One is that we reunite with the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. The second is that we don’t go directly or indirectly with the BJP. Let us join the INDIA group and reorganise the alliance,” Sharad Pawar had said. Since then, the talks about the merger between two parties gained momentum. However, the ruling NCP has been consistently denying any such move. The opposition NCP (SP) leaders have maintained silence on the matter, adding that only Sharad Pawar is authorised to talk on the issue.

From ruling NCP, state president and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare has maintained that no proposal has come regarding any merger, nor is such a proposal under consideration.