NCP state president Sunil Tatkare restarted speculation about a possible merger between his party and the NCP (SP) on Thursday. He stated that the Sharad Pawar-led group had halted reunification efforts after Ajit Pawar’s death in January and suggested the next step depended on that side.
The remarks followed Tatkare’s tense meeting with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s widow. She reportedly questioned why Tatkare and working president Praful Patel had not informed her about their late Tuesday visit to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil’s presence at the same meeting added to merger rumours.
The NCP split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-led alliance with most legislators. Since his death, repeated reports have suggested the two factions might reunite. Tatkare said both sides had discussed merger while Ajit Pawar was alive and would have backed his decision. After his death, the other side declared the matter closed. He indicated fresh talks would be needed before his party could respond.
This marks the first public admission by a senior NCP figure that merger plans had advanced and that Ajit Pawar supported them. Tatkare denied meeting Jayant Patil and rejected claims of friction with Sunetra Pawar. Sources said she expressed displeasure at being excluded from the Fadnavis meeting. Tatkare explained the visit aimed to avoid miscommunication over possible NCP (SP) support for the Delimitation Bill.
The party appears divided. One section backs Sunetra Pawar and her sons, while others feel sidelined by the rise of her elder son Parth Pawar. Reports suggest Parth may seek to replace Tatkare. The party has chosen not to reply to a legal notice challenging Sunetra’s appointment as national president. Several key posts remain vacant and the finance department role once held by Ajit Pawar is now with the chief minister. Some legislators believe a merger could strengthen the party, but no formal approach has been made without family consensus on leadership.
