NCP – Talks on Party Merger Stall After Ajit Pawar Death

NCP- The sudden death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash has cast fresh uncertainty over the long-discussed merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party factions, with senior leaders indicating that any future unity would depend on clear political alignments at both the state and national levels.

The possibility of bringing together the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP SP has not been ruled out, but leaders from the ruling side have made it clear that a merger can move forward only if the Sharad Pawar faction agrees to join the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra and at the Centre.

Conditions Set by the Ruling Alliance

NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal said that the responsibility now lies with the Sharad Pawar-led group to initiate talks with the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership. According to him, without such an approach, there can be no meaningful discussion on unification or power-sharing between the two factions.

Bhujbal underlined that political clarity is essential before any structural merger is considered. He added that a shared position on governance and alliance politics would be the foundation for any agreement between the two sides.

Alliance Positions Remain a Key Hurdle

NCP state president Sunil Tatkare reiterated that Ajit Pawar’s faction is firmly part of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre and the Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra. In contrast, the NCP SP continues to align with the Opposition’s INDIA bloc nationally and the Maha Vikas Aghadi within the state.

Tatkare questioned the intent behind the merger proposal, saying the Sharad Pawar faction must first decide whether it wants to remain in the Opposition or become part of the government. He stated that joining hands without resolving this fundamental issue would only create further confusion within the party ranks.

Ajit Pawar’s Final Push for Unity

Kiran Kujjar, a close aide of Ajit Pawar from Baramati, recalled that the late leader had spoken at length about the need to reunite the party during a visit to his residence just a week before the fatal crash. According to Kujjar, Ajit Pawar was deeply troubled by the split and believed it weakened the party’s political strength.

He said Ajit Pawar was confident that unity was achievable and felt that bringing the factions together was essential for the NCP’s long-term survival and relevance in Maharashtra politics.

Sharad Pawar’s Reflections After the Tragedy

Earlier, Sharad Pawar had publicly acknowledged that his nephew was keen on merging the two factions and viewed unification as a step that would honor Ajit Pawar’s political legacy. However, he also admitted that the future of the talks had become uncertain following his nephew’s untimely death.

Sharad Pawar noted that while there was intent on both sides, leadership dynamics and political circumstances would now play a decisive role in determining whether the merger could still materialize.

Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations

Sources familiar with the discussions said Ajit Pawar had held multiple meetings with leaders from the NCP SP, including at Sharad Pawar’s residence in Baramati and at the home of senior leader Jayant Patil. These meetings reportedly focused on the structure of a merged party and the distribution of responsibilities.

One NCP SP leader said Ajit Pawar strongly asserted his authority during the talks, making it clear that he was not merely facilitating discussions but taking decisions on behalf of his faction.

Power-Sharing Talks Put on Hold

According to the same leader, preliminary agreements had been reached on cabinet representation if the merger went ahead. The plan included negotiating two cabinet positions at the Centre, proposed for Praful Patel and Supriya Sule, while the NCP SP would secure one cabinet berth and one minister of state post in Maharashtra.

These discussions, however, have now been paused indefinitely. Ajit Pawar’s death has left the process without its central driving force, and leaders on both sides appear cautious about taking the next step without broader consensus.