Mumbai, Jan 30: The proposed reunification of the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions—led by the late Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar—remains “very much on course,” with negotiations at an advanced stage even before Pawar’s fatal plane crash on Wednesday, sources revealed on Friday.
Ajit Pawar’s death in the Baramati airstrip crash, which killed him and four others, has reshaped merger prospects. NCP (SP) expects Sharad Pawar to reclaim a “central role” in the unified party, while the ruling NCP pushes to nominate his wife, Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, as deputy CM to preserve the family legacy.
Talks predated the tragedy, evidenced by joint contests in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls under the NCP clock symbol—a “test” to consolidate votes.
Founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999, NCP split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti as deputy CM, retaining the party name and symbol after a bitter dispute. He held the post under Devendra Fadnavis post-2024 polls. NCP backs Mahayuti; NCP (SP) allies with opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Post-civic polls, merger buzz intensified, with a February 8 announcement eyed after Zilla Parishad polls. Ajit Pawar drove discussions for 2029 relevance, blending secular ‘Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar’ ideology with coalition needs. High-level talks involved Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, and Jayant Patil; secondary ones by Shashikant Shinde, Rajesh Tope, and Amol Kolhe.
A united NCP—boasting 9 Lok Sabha MPs and 51 MLAs—could reshape alliances, reclaiming Western Maharashtra’s “sugar bowl” from BJP gains. For now, factions coordinate in February 7 local polls as tribute.
NCP (SP) sources stress family support first, but merger would boost their governance roles and alter cabinet math.
