Supriya Sule Confirms Merger Talks Stopped After Ajit Pawar's Death

UPDATE - follow-up to NCP merger talks ended with death of Ajit Pawar, says Supriya Sule: Discussion about uniting the two Nationalist Congress Party factions is completely over following the death of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. MP Supriya Sule stated that the plan had a fixed date while her cousin was alive, but all negotiations stopped the day he passed away in a January 28 aircraft accident at Baramati airport in Pune.

Recent Meetings

Rumours about a reunion grew recently after high-ranking members held discussions. NCP working president Praful Patel visited NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar, though MP Sunil Tatkare described that visit as personal rather than political. Current Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar also held talks with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Talk of a reunion picked up speed after top party figures spoke with central home minister Amit Shah ahead of his Pune visit.

Ally Reactions

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut warned the opposition faction against joining hands for power. He stated that party head Sharad Pawar should not abandon his lifelong principles for members seeking cabinet seats. He also criticized holding talks with a group allied with the BJP.

Context

Political splits and family-run parties often face intense public speculation over reunions when power equations shift in state assemblies. Major political alignments in Maharashtra frequently involve high-level discussions between national and regional leaders in Delhi and Mumbai.