Merger of NCP Factions ‘On Track’, Set to Alter Maharashtra’s Political Landscape

The proposed reunification of the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions—one led by late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the other by veteran leader Sharad Pawar—is reportedly “very much on course,” with negotiations already at an advanced stage even before Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in a plane crash on Wednesday.

Sources say the merger, initially planned for February 8, is likely to significantly alter Maharashtra’s power dynamics. The NCP (SP) camp believes Sharad Pawar will now naturally resume a central role in guiding the unified party, while the ruling NCP is considering nominating Ajit Pawar’s widow, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, as deputy chief minister to preserve the family’s political legacy.

Merger Talks Preceded Ajit Pawar’s Demise
According to party sources, discussions for reunification began when Ajit Pawar was alive. The two factions even contested recent municipal elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad jointly under the NCP’s clock symbol, signaling a thaw in relations. “Ajit Dada himself held several rounds of discussions with senior leaders to bridge the gap,” a source said.

The strategy was to “test the waters” during local elections, consolidate the vote bank, and pave the way for a full-scale merger after the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls.

Impact on Maharashtra Politics
The reunification is seen as a bid to reclaim Western Maharashtra—the traditional “sugar bowl” of the state—where the BJP has made notable inroads. Analysts say a united NCP could command nine Lok Sabha MPs and 51 MLAs, potentially shifting the balance of power within the ruling Mahayuti alliance or the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

While the immediate focus remains on supporting the grieving family, NCP (SP) leaders have indicated that the merger would give them pivotal roles in state governance and party organisation. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led faction may seek to maintain its influence through Sunetra Pawar’s elevation to the deputy CM post.

Long-Term Vision
Ajit Pawar had long envisaged a reunion of the two factions to safeguard the party’s relevance ahead of the 2029 elections. He had maintained that the merger would proceed with the consent of his uncle, Sharad Pawar, ensuring alignment on leadership and ideology.

Despite coalition politics, Ajit Pawar remained committed to the progressive legacy of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, balancing secularism with strategic governance.

High-level discussions on the merger and political strategy involved Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, and Jayant Patil, while secondary-level deliberations on organisational and tactical issues were handled by leaders including Shashikant Shinde, Rajesh Tope, and Amol Kolhe.

With the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar, the NCP’s long-awaited consolidation is likely to reshape Maharashtra’s political equations, impacting both the ruling coalition and the opposition.