Overview
- A Maharashtra government resolution dated February 3 assigns Sunetra Pawar guardian minister responsibilities for Pune and Beed, posts previously held by Ajit Pawar.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rejected assertions of advanced reunification talks between NCP factions, while state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare said the party remains in the NDA and questioned which side was to merge with which.
- Sharad Pawar has maintained that February 12 had been set for announcing a merger before Ajit Pawar’s death, but leaders in the ruling camp say no such decision was cleared with them and the issue appears in limbo.
- More than 30 NCP cell heads urged that Sunetra Pawar be made national president, and party sources indicated a decision could be taken at a forthcoming national executive meeting as Praful Patel said he is not in the race.
- Shiv Sena (UBT) used a Saamana editorial to allege BJP-engineered maneuvering in Sunetra Pawar’s elevation and to oppose reunification, while opposition figures renewed calls for a thorough probe into the Baramati plane crash already under state and Union scrutiny.