Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan says he agrees with Pawar's 'merger' remarks

Pune: Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday said he agreed with NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar's remarks on possible merger or close association of regional outfits with the grand old party going forward.

However, everything will depend on the June 4 results of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, maintained the former Maharashtra chief minister.

In an interview to The Indian Express, Pawar predicted that in the next couple of years, several regional parties will associate more closely with the Congress, or even merge with it.

"I was there when Pawar saheb made those remarks. Everything depends on the result of polls on June 4. We are sure there will be an INDIA alliance government at the Centre after June 4 and to take benefits of power, some parties may join the I.N.D.I.A. alliance or even merge with the Congress. But all these things are based on ifs and buts as everything depends on June 4 results," he said.

Chavan said he agreed with Pawar's views.

Meanwhile, when asked about Sharad Pawar's remarks, deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who heads the NCP, said those were his personal views.

"On December 8, 1986, Pawar saheb had merged his Samajwadi Congress Party with the Congress (I) and they all were witness to that rally in Aurangabad where he made the announcement," said Ajit Pawar.