Speculation intensifies over merger of both NCP factions in Maharashtra

According to reports by NDTV India and Hindustan Times, political activities regarding the merger of both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra have escalated significantly. Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat stated on Sunday that the merger of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and the NCP has reached its final stage. He also mentioned that the roles of various leaders will soon become clear. This statement has fueled speculation of a reunion between the two factions.

Talks of a merger have gained momentum following meetings held between senior leaders of both factions. Speaking to journalists on the occasion of Diwali, Sanjay Shirsat referred to the recent meeting between Ajit Pawar's son Parth Pawar and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. Parth Pawar, who is the general secretary of the NCP, and other NCP (SP) leaders met Sharad Pawar at his south Mumbai residence on Saturday. This meeting took place to inquire about Sharad Pawar's health after his discharge from the hospital.

Earlier, a meeting between senior NCP leader Praful Patel and Sharad Pawar at a Mumbai hospital had also fueled speculation of a merger. A video of the two leaders' conversation surfaced in which they were seen discussing a possible meeting after November 10. Meanwhile, Maharashtra NCP state president Sunil Tatkare stated that had Ajit Pawar been alive, the merger of both factions would have taken place as early as February. The late Deputy Chief Minister, who led the Election Commission-recognized NCP faction, passed away in a plane crash in January.

Sanjay Shirsat further stated that he had mentioned earlier too that political developments were underway and they are now visible. It remains to be seen which party merges into which. His party, Shiv Sena, is an ally of the NCP in the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra. According to a Hindustan Times report, the NCP had earlier denied that any formal discussions were ongoing.

Prior to this sequence of events, six senior leaders of the Ajit Pawar faction, including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse-Patil, and Dhananjay Munde, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on November 1. This meeting took place without party president Sunetra Pawar and her sons Parth and Jay. According to reports, some senior leaders were unhappy with the party's functioning and the growing influence of Parth Pawar. However, while some leaders emphasized the possibility of a reunion with Sharad Pawar's faction, others denied that any merger discussions were taking place.

Later, when Praful Patel met Sharad Pawar at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, this issue came into further discussion. Praful Patel stated that upon returning from Gondia, he wanted to meet Sharad Pawar at his residence, but the proposed meeting should not be given any political significance. He also said that he had gone to inquire about the senior leader's health. On November 6, Sunil Tatkare stated that had Ajit Pawar been alive, a formal announcement of the merger of both parties would have been made on February 12 itself. According to a PTI report, Tatkare said that Ajit Pawar had informed him about the discussions and the proposed formula for reunion.

The Nationalist Congress Party was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999, and since then the party has seen several political ups and downs. A major split occurred in the NCP in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar parted ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.