In a major update in Latest News from Maharashtra politics, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar has revealed that talks to reunite the two factions of the NCP have stopped following the tragic death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. The merger, which was expected to take place on February 12, was under discussion for several months but has now been put on hold, creating uncertainty about the party’s future.
Sharad Pawar made these remarks during a press conference, his first public interaction since the sudden loss of Ajit Pawar. His statement has quickly become Breaking News, as it sheds light on behind-the-scenes negotiations and the internal concerns affecting the party.
Merger Talks Were Going On for Four Months
Sharad Pawar explained that discussions about uniting the two NCP groups had been happening quietly for nearly four months. According to him, Ajit Pawar and MLA Jayant Patil were leading these talks. He also said that he personally wanted both sides to come together to strengthen the party.
- Ajit Pawar had taken a strong interest in the talks
- Jayant Patil represented Sharad Pawar’s faction
- February 12 was proposed as the tentative merger date
- Both sides initially showed willingness for unity
“Our desire was also that the two sides should come together,” Sharad Pawar said, making it clear that his faction was open to reconciliation.
Plane Crash Changed Everything
The situation changed completely after Ajit Pawar’s plane crash, which shocked the political world and the people of Maharashtra. Sharad Pawar said the tragic incident suddenly stopped all discussions.
“Unfortunately, Ajit Pawar’s plane crash has halted the merger talks,” he stated. With Ajit Pawar gone, leaders from his faction appear less interested in continuing the unification process.
Political experts say Ajit Pawar played a central role in keeping the talks alive. Without his leadership, the momentum was lost, and hesitation began to grow within his group.
This development is now dominating Daily news highlights, as it may have long-term effects on Maharashtra politics.
Sunetra Pawar’s Oath Raises Questions
After Ajit Pawar’s death, his widow Sunetra Pawar moved quickly to take oath as Deputy Chief Minister. This decision surprised many and led to speculation about urgency and internal pressure within the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction.
Some leaders from that camp privately suggested that:
- There was fear of losing control of the party
- Pressure was being felt to accept a merger
- A leadership vacuum could weaken the faction
- Immediate action was needed to maintain stability
Sharad Pawar indirectly referred to these concerns, saying there may be a feeling that someone must take responsibility for the party.
“There may be a feeling that someone has to take responsibility of the NCP,” he said, hinting that this could be the reason behind Sunetra Pawar’s quick oath-taking ceremony, scheduled for 5 pm on Saturday.
Sharad Pawar Says He Was Not Directly Involved
Sharad Pawar made it clear that although he supported unity, he was not personally involved in the merger negotiations. He said the talks were handled by leaders from both factions.
“While I was not involved in the merger talks, it was taking place between Jayant Patil from my party and Ajit Pawar from the NCP,” he explained.
This statement was meant to clear confusion and show that the discussions were driven by party leaders rather than senior leadership pressure.
When asked whether Sunetra Pawar’s oath-taking showed unnecessary haste, Sharad Pawar replied honestly, saying he did not know and that the demand may have come from within their party.
Background of the NCP Split
The NCP split in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar left with over 40 of the party’s 54 MLAs and joined the BJP-led Mahayuti government. Following this, Sharad Pawar formed a separate faction named Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar.
Since then, both factions have functioned independently, though talks of reunion have surfaced from time to time.
A rare moment of unity was seen during local body elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, where leaders from both sides appeared together. However, the effort failed to deliver results, as the BJP Mahayuti won decisively in both municipal corporations.
