NCP Merger Announcement Was Scheduled for February 8, Process Continues Despite Setback
The two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were poised to make a significant announcement regarding their reunification on February 8, 2026. This plan, however, faced a major setback due to the untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. According to sources, merger talks had reached an advanced stage, with leaders from both sides actively preparing for a formal reunification following the zilla parishad election results.
Political Process Remains Intact Amid Uncertainty
While Ajit Pawar's death has cast uncertainty over the immediate timeline of the merger, NCP leaders have emphasized that the underlying political process remains intact. In fact, late Wednesday night, senior NCP leaders who gathered in Baramati to pay their respects held a meeting to discuss the urgency of continuing consultations amidst the changing political landscape. This indicates a strong commitment to moving forward with the reunification efforts.
Reunification as a Step Towards Government Inclusion
Sources reveal that the reunification was seen as a crucial step towards the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction joining the government. Currently, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction is part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition, while the NCP (SP) is a member of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. Ajit Pawar played a pivotal role as a key link between the two factions, reopening communication channels and leading negotiations from the front.
Advanced Discussions and Informal Considerations
Senior NCP(SP) MLA Jayant Patil and NCP (SP) chief Shashikant Shinde confirmed to The Indian Express that merger discussions were at an advanced stage. They noted that talks had progressed to the point where possible Cabinet reshuffles and the inclusion of new faces were being informally considered as part of the arrangement. Jayant Patil described Ajit Pawar's loss as "a big loss for all of us" and highlighted recent frequent meetings between the factions to finalize election strategies.
Momentum Building Through Electoral Collaboration
The momentum for reunification had been building after the two NCP factions contested the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls together. Public signals and media reports pointed to a thaw between the camps, with leaders softening their positions to resolve internal differences. Plans were also in place to contest the upcoming zilla parishad elections together as a confidence-building exercise, with February 8 tentatively set for the merger announcement.
Future Directions and Delays
Shashikant Shinde indicated that the merger talks were aligned with earlier understandings between the factions, suggesting that while the process may be delayed, it would continue in the direction set by Ajit Pawar. He recalled Ajit Pawar's statements about coming together after municipal corporation elections, emphasizing that progress would now follow that guidance. This underscores a resilient political strategy despite the current challenges.
