Ajit Pawar’s Death: NCP Reunification Talks Advance Amid Leadership Questions After
Ajit Pawar’s Death: The planned reunification of the Nationalist Congress Party’s two rival factions remains on track despite the sudden death of senior leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier this week, according to party insiders. Discussions had reached a late stage before the tragedy, and leaders on both sides indicate that the process is likely to continue, even as the party navigates a period of mourning and political uncertainty.
Talks Progressed Before the Tragedy
Sources familiar with the negotiations say conversations between the factions led by Ajit Pawar and his uncle, Sharad Pawar, had moved well beyond exploratory stages. Several meetings had already taken place to address organisational and electoral concerns, with both sides expressing confidence that long-standing differences could be resolved. The joint decision to contest recent civic elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad was widely viewed as a practical step to assess cooperation on the ground.
Background of the Party Split
The Nationalist Congress Party, founded in 1999 by Sharad Pawar, fractured in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government and assumed the role of deputy chief minister. The split hardened over control of the party name and election symbol, which eventually went to Ajit Pawar’s faction. Since then, the two groups have aligned with rival coalitions, reflecting contrasting political strategies within Maharashtra.
Current Political Alignments
At present, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, while the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) operates within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Despite these differences, recent local body elections signaled a thaw, with both sides choosing to work together under the NCP banner. Party leaders described this arrangement as a limited but significant confidence-building measure.
Impact of Ajit Pawar’s Passing
Ajit Pawar, 66, died along with four others when a chartered aircraft crashed near Baramati in Pune district. The incident has deeply affected Maharashtra’s political community and is expected to influence the state’s political trajectory. While immediate attention remains on supporting the bereaved family, party leaders acknowledge that his absence changes internal equations within the NCP.
Leadership and Power Balance Considerations
Within the NCP (SP), there is a view that Sharad Pawar will naturally assume a central guiding role if the factions formally reunite. At the same time, leaders from the ruling NCP are considering proposing Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife and a Rajya Sabha member, for the deputy chief minister’s post to preserve the family’s political legacy. Observers note that any merger would require careful recalibration of cabinet positions and organisational authority.
Electoral Stakes in Western Maharashtra
A unified NCP is seen as a strategic move to regain influence in Western Maharashtra, a region often described as the party’s traditional stronghold. Recent civic polls showed growing inroads by the BJP, prompting NCP leaders to reassess their fragmented approach. Analysts suggest that reunification could consolidate votes and strengthen the party’s bargaining power within either the ruling alliance or the opposition.
Numbers That Could Shift Alliances
If the merger proceeds, the combined strength of the two factions would include nine Lok Sabha members and a substantial bloc of legislators in the state assembly. Such numbers could alter the balance within Maharashtra’s coalition politics, potentially reshaping alignments ahead of future elections.
Looking Ahead
Party insiders say Ajit Pawar viewed reunification as a long-term necessity, keeping the 2029 elections and the NCP’s relevance in mind. He had repeatedly emphasized ideological continuity rooted in the legacy of social reformers Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and B R Ambedkar. Senior leaders including Supriya Sule and Jayant Patil were involved in high-level discussions, while organisational details were handled by second-rung leadership.
For now, both factions are focused on the upcoming local body polls, which they are contesting together as a tribute to Ajit Pawar’s final political initiative.