Maharashtra politics is buzzing again, and this time the question is simple: will the two Nationalist Congress Party factions come back together? A hospital visit, a viral video and a string of statements over the weekend have pushed the NCP merger story to the top of the state’s political conversation. But even as one minister says the merger is in its final stages, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has drawn a firm line, insisting that Sharad Pawar’s party will not join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
Two meetings that set off the buzz
The speculation began last week when NCP working president Praful Patel visited Sharad Pawar at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, where the 85-year-old leader was being treated for a chest infection. A video of their conversation went viral, showing the two discussing a possible meeting after November 10. Then, on Saturday, Parth Pawar, son of the late Ajit Pawar and general secretary of the ruling NCP, met Sharad Pawar at his Silver Oak residence in south Mumbai to enquire about his health after his discharge from hospital.
The meetings were ostensibly about health. But in Maharashtra politics, few meetings are only about health, and the timing did the rest. Within days, leaders from both camps were talking openly about reunification.
Raut draws the line
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Sunday, Raut was categorical. “The NCP (SP) headed by Sharad Pawar won’t join the NDA,” he said, ruling out any possibility of the Sharad Pawar-led faction joining the ruling alliance. He added that Sharad Pawar remains with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and will continue to guide it. “Sharad Pawar is not going anywhere. He will remain with us,” Raut said.
Raut also used the occasion to take a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over their Diwali visits, and accused Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of sidelining veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani for 12 years. His message was aimed as much at his own allies as at the BJP: whatever happens between the two NCP factions, the Sharad Pawar camp is not walking into the NDA.
A minister sees a merger coming
Not everyone agrees with Raut’s reading. Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said on Sunday that a merger between the NCP and NCP (SP) appeared to be in its final stages, with the roles of various leaders likely to become clear soon. “I think the developments are in their final stages, and the roles of various people will soon be decided,” Shirsat told reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Shirsat pointed to the meetings between Parth Pawar and Sharad Pawar, and between Praful Patel and Sharad Pawar, as signs that political developments were unfolding. The only question, he said, was which party merges with which.
What the BJP is saying
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reacting to the merger reports on Friday, said the decision rested with Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar and other senior NCP leaders. He noted that the NCP is a constituent of the NDA and that its leaders would consult the BJP before taking a final decision on the merger and their future political alignment.
Reports have suggested the BJP has given its green signal to the reunification, though Fadnavis clarified that neither NCP faction had held discussions with the BJP about the merger so far. The picture, in other words, is still forming.
Why the timing matters
The merger talk carries an emotional thread too. NCP state president Sunil Tatkare said the merger of the two factions would have been formalised on February 12 had Ajit Pawar been alive. Ajit Pawar, who was deputy chief minister and NCP president, died in a plane crash on January 28 this year in Baramati. After his death, his wife Sunetra Pawar took over as NCP president and became deputy chief minister.
Tatkare acknowledged that merger talks had indeed taken place during Ajit Pawar’s lifetime, and said Ajit Pawar had personally briefed him about the discussions. It was a significant shift from his earlier categorical denial of any merger talks.
The NCP split in 2023, when Ajit Pawar and a group of leaders joined the Mahayuti alliance. The Ajit Pawar faction secured the party name and symbol, while Sharad Pawar’s group came to be known as NCP (SP). Sharad Pawar himself had told party workers in September that NCP (SP) would not merge with any outfit merely for the sake of power. That statement now hangs over every new claim about reunification.
For now, the two sides are talking, the video is circulating, and the next meeting is pencilled in for after November 10. Whether that meeting produces a merger, or just another round of speculation, is the question Maharashtra will be watching.
FAQs
What did Sanjay Raut say about the NCP merger?
Raut said on Sunday that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) will not join the BJP-led NDA, and that Sharad Pawar remains with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Why is there talk of an NCP merger now?
Praful Patel met Sharad Pawar at Breach Candy Hospital last week and Parth Pawar met him at his residence on Saturday. A viral video showed Patel and Pawar discussing a meeting after November 10.
When did the NCP split?
The party split in 2023, when Ajit Pawar and his supporters joined the Mahayuti alliance. The Ajit faction kept the party name and symbol, while Sharad Pawar’s group became NCP (SP).
What did Sunil Tatkare say about the merger?
Tatkare said the merger would have been formalised on February 12 had Ajit Pawar been alive, and confirmed that merger talks took place during Ajit Pawar’s lifetime.
When is the next meeting expected?
The viral video showed Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel agreeing to sit together and discuss matters after November 10.
Maharashtra’s political churn continues, and Informeia will keep tracking every development in the NCP merger story as it unfolds.
