Merger talks between NCP factions ended with Ajit Pawar's death, says Supriya Sule

Discussions about a possible merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party factions ended permanently following the death of Ajit Pawar, according to NCP-Sharad Pawar faction MP Supriya Sule. She stated on Saturday, November 14, 2026, that a date had already been fixed for the merger while her brother was alive, but the talks stopped completely on the day he died. Ajit Pawar served as the former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and headed the rival faction before his death in an aircraft accident on January 28 at Baramati airport in Pune. Rumours of a reunion had grown recently after several high-level meetings, including talks between NCP working president Praful Patel and NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar. Meanwhile, current Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Sunetra Pawar met Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on the same Saturday. NCP MP Sunil Tatkare described Mr. Patel's meeting with Mr. Sharad Pawar as a personal visit rather than a political move. Speculation about the merger had also increased after senior NCP leaders met Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of his visit to Pune scheduled for Sunday, November 15. At the same time, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut warned the NCP-SP faction against joining hands for ministerial positions, stating that party chief Sharad Pawar should not compromise his lifelong principles.

Context

Political mergers and alliances in regional Indian parties often involve intense behind-the-scenes negotiations among top family members and senior leaders. These discussions regularly draw sharp reactions from opposition allies who worry about shifts in political ideology and power sharing.