Maha: Shashikant Shinde backs Sunil Tatkare's explosive claim on pre-planned NCP merger

Mumbai, Nov 6 (UNI) In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra's political spectrum, leaders from opposing factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have confirmed that a full-scale merger of both camps was actively planned for February 12, prior to the tragic passing of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Endorsing the sensational revelations made by NCP (AP) State President Sunil Tatkare, Shashikant Shinde-State President of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction-stated that Tatkare had merely stated the unvarnished reality. Speaking to media persons here, Shinde affirmed, "Sunil Tatkare has spoken the absolute truth. We had…