The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is in a state of uncertainty over its future after Ajit Pawar’s reported death. Speculation over a merger between the two factions of the NCP has resurfaced and reports of internal differences have added to political uncertainty in Maharashtra.
The possibility of reuniting with Sharad Pawar’s faction has once again been raised. At the same time, questions are being asked about leadership in the party, Sunetra Pawar’s role, Parth Pawar’s growing influence and where the organisation is headed from now on.
A meeting between Sharad Pawar and senior NCP leader Praful Patel at Breach Candy Hospital on November 5 has added to speculation. Sharad Pawar is said to have told Patel that he would meet them again after November 10. Patel said he would be in Mumbai after that date and will meet whenever Pawar decides.
Patel said the meeting was only to find out about Sharad Pawar’s health. But the meeting has revived political talk of a possible merger.
NCP Merger: Leaders Give Different Signals
Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare said there were no merger discussions going on and that if Ajit Pawar were alive, then the two factions could have reunited, but February 12 could have been considered the date for the merger.
NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar said reunification was certain and Ajit Pawar wanted the Pawar family to remain united. He questioned Tatkare’s statements about previous merger discussions too.
Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh also alleged that meetings were held in Baramati and at Jayant Patil’s residence to see if the two factions could be brought together.
No merger announcement has been made by either side despite these claims.
Reports of Internal Differences Add to Party Challenges
The merger debate is taking place against the background of reports of differences within Ajit Pawar’s NCP.
Six senior leaders — Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse Patil and Dhananjay Munde — met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on November 2. Sunetra Pawar and her son Parth were not part of the delegation.
Reports said that the leaders discussed collective leadership, internal consultations and Parth Pawar's increasing involvement in party affairs. NCP denied there was an internal rift and said the meeting had been planned.
Sunetra Pawar, who took over the party after Ajit Pawar’s death and became Deputy Chief Minister, has also been meeting senior leaders.
NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil defended Sunetra and her sons Parth and Jay saying the family was still with the organisation. He also said Sunetra herself had sought an appointment with Amit Shah for the senior leaders.
#Mumbai: #NCP Working President #PrafulPatel's one-&-half hour meeting with NCP-SP Chief #SharadPawar at Breach Candy hospital sparks political buzz about merger or reunion between two NCP factions. Patel inquired about his health & also discussed political issues. #Maharashtra https://t.co/zt2o0Qb9ba
— Lokmat Times Nagpur (@LokmatTimes_ngp) November 6, 2026
Could BJP Have a Role in NCP Reunification?
Political speculation has also increased after Sharad Pawar’s hospitalisation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly calling the veteran politician on the phone.
Sharad Pawar’s associate Vitthal Maniyar said Modi told him that he and Supriya will take care of the country. He should focus on his health and remain strong, Maniyar said.
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde also went to Sharad Pawar in the hospital. He said the visit was personal, not political.
These interactions have been noticed but do not produce political understanding or agreement.
There is also talk of BJP’s possible interest in having a broader understanding with Sharad Pawar. His tentacles span cooperative institutions, sugar factories, district banks and local political networks (western Maharashtra).
Any political arrangement between the two NCP factions could therefore have major implications for Maharashtra’s politics.
For now, the NCP has some big questions to answer about leadership, unity and its electoral strategy going forward. Whether or not the two factions come back together or continue independently will determine how the state’s political equations play out in the months ahead.
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