NCP (Sharad Pawar) Faction Rejects Claims of Aggressive Merger Pursuit, Vows Party Rebuilding
In a significant political development, the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by veteran leader Sharad Pawar has firmly dismissed what it describes as a false "perception" that it was aggressively pushing for a merger with the rival NCP group formerly headed by Ajit Pawar. The clarification comes amidst ongoing speculation about the future of Maharashtra's political landscape following Ajit Pawar's tragic death in a plane crash last month.
"Merger Issue Has Been Closed" Says NCP (SP) Leader
Shashikant Shinde, the Maharashtra unit chief of NCP (Sharad Pawar), addressed reporters in Mumbai on Saturday to set the record straight. "A perception is being created that we were pushing aggressively for a merger. This is not correct," Shinde emphasized. "We have now decided to rebuild our party. The issue of merger has been closed by the NCP (SP)."
The leader explained that any final decision regarding a potential merger was originally scheduled to occur after the recent local body elections, with the framework to be determined through detailed discussions between the factions. However, with Ajit Pawar's passing, Shinde noted that "there is no point in discussing a possible merger as there is no leader left to hold talks with."
Historical Context of the NCP Split
The political division traces back to July 2023 when Ajit Pawar orchestrated a dramatic split from the undivided Nationalist Congress Party, subsequently aligning his faction with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena group. The Election Commission of India currently recognizes the Ajit Pawar faction as the legitimate NCP, adding complexity to the political dynamics.
Shinde also referenced his controversial article published in the February 2026 edition of Rashtravadi, the official mouthpiece of NCP (SP). The piece, which focused on the late Maharashtra deputy chief minister, drew criticism from the rival NCP faction for allegedly containing "false and misleading" claims about the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar's departure from the original party.
Clarification on Controversial Article
In his article, Shinde had suggested that "manoeuvres by invisible forces, threats, and a web of false allegations" created an environment that compelled Ajit Pawar to leave the parent organization founded by his uncle Sharad Pawar. Clarifying his remarks, Shinde stated that he never intended to suggest Ajit Pawar had made a mistake. "I only said he wanted to rectify the division of the party," the NCP (SP) MLC explained.
Political Reactions and Future Implications
Meanwhile, senior NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal questioned the necessity of "daily discussions" about a potential merger. Bhujbal pointed to Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's widow who currently serves as deputy chief minister and is expected to become the NCP national president soon. "She will discuss the matter and take a call," Bhujbal stated.
The minister drew parallels between the current merger discussions and the criticism surrounding Sunetra Pawar's swift appointment as deputy CM. "When Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as deputy CM, there was criticism about the haste. Why is there similar haste in talking about a merger?" he questioned rhetorically.
The developments signal a clear shift in strategy for the Sharad Pawar-led faction, which now appears focused on independent rebuilding rather than unification efforts. With Ajit Pawar's passing creating a leadership vacuum in the rival camp and Sunetra Pawar poised to take greater control, Maharashtra's political equations continue to evolve in this post-crisis period.
