India, Jan. 31 -- Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday indicated that the process to merge the two NCP factions, which according to him was slated for February 12, has come to a halt following the death of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, even as he suggested that leaders from the NCP are no longer keen on the move despite his own party's willingness.

"The merger talks, which had been underway for the past four months, have now been interrupted. Unfortunately, Ajit Pawar's death has halted the merger talks," Pawar said, adding that there had been a shared desire for unity. "Our desire is also that the two sides should come together."

Pawar's remarks come amid speculation that the urgency shown by Sunetr...