The Economic Times

Ajit Pawar 'compelled' to leave undivided NCP, was to lead party post merger: Shashikant Shinde

Maharashtra NCP (SP) president Shashikant Shinde claimed manoeuvres by invisible forces, threats, and a web of false allegations led late Ajit Pawar to leave the undivided NCP, resulting in the 2023 split. In a party magazine tribute, he said efforts to reunite the two factions were underway and a formal merger decision was to be taken on February 12, with Ajit Pawar set to lead the unified party before his death in a plane crash on January 28.