6 minute learnmumbaiJuly 16, 2026 07:46 PM (IST)
Date first printed: July 16, 2026, 7:31 PM IST
Amid renewed discuss of merger between the Nationalist Congress Social gathering (NCP) and the NCP (SP), state president Sunil Tatkare on Thursday stated Sharad Pawar’s occasion had known as off the unification course of following Ajit Pawar’s demise earlier this yr, and stated it was as much as the events to renew talks.
The feedback got here a day after Tatkare’s assembly with Ajit Pawar’s spouse Sunetra Pawar, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and nationwide NCP chief, led to failure. Sunetra is known to have requested Tatkare why he and NCP working committee chairman Praful Patel didn’t inform her concerning the assembly with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late on Tuesday evening. NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil’s presence on the CM’s residence in Mumbai’s Varsha on Tuesday evening elevated hypothesis that the merger could be on the desk once more.
The NCP break up in 2023, with the late Ajit Pawar breaking with most MLAs and becoming a member of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. However since his demise in a aircraft crash in January, hypothesis persists that the 2 NCPs will reunite. This comes amid discuss that Sunetra and her sons are dealing with backlash from the previous guard as they search to say management of the group.
“When Mr. Ajit Pawar was alive, each the events talked concerning the merger. We’d have supported the merger resolution taken by him. Nevertheless, after his demise, the talks have been known as off. Thereafter, the leaders of each the events (NCP-SP) determined to implement state-level applications. They’ve introduced that the merger situation is over for them. If negotiations resume, solely then can we give our opinion,” Tatkare stated, hinting that it was as much as Sharad Pawar’s occasion to start out discussions.
That is the primary time that an NCP chief has publicly admitted {that a} merger of the 2 events was deliberate and that Ajit Pawar was additionally in favor of it. A day after Ajit Pawar’s demise, The Indian Categorical reported that the 2 NCPs had deliberate to announce their reunification on February 8, earlier than the tragedy occurred. On the time, talks have been in a complicated stage and leaders from each international locations have been making ready for formal unification following the Zilla Parishad election outcomes.
“I didn’t meet Jayan Patil.”
Requested concerning the assembly in Varsha, Tatkare stated, “We went there to debate work associated to the constituency. I didn’t meet Jayan Patil there.”
Nevertheless, the NCP state president denied stories about his falling out with Sunetra Pawar. “I’ve an excellent relationship with Ajit Dada and the identical with Sunetra Vahini (sister-in-law). There is no such thing as a downside of miscommunication or her being offended with me over something,” he stated.
Nevertheless, sources stated that in a gathering with Tatkare on Wednesday morning, the deputy CM expressed dissatisfaction over not being knowledgeable concerning the assembly on the CM’s house. Mr. Tatkare advised Mr. Sunetra that he and Mr. Patel met Fadnavis after studying that the NCP(SP) would possibly assist the boundary invoice. It’s discovered that Tatkare advised the deputy CM that they wished to make sure that there was no miscommunication between the CM and their officers. “She requested why they each did not assume it was essential to let her find out about it beforehand,” the supply stated.
divided into two camps
The NCP seems more and more divided, with one group clinging to the Pawar household, specifically Sunetra and her sons. As a result of they’re on the helm and in energy, and the opposite group feels sidelined with the emergence of Pars Pawar, the deputy CM’s eldest son. Sources near Sunetra Pawar have hinted that Parth is seeking to change Tatkare with one of many MLAs from north Maharashtra, whereas Tatkare has brazenly maintained that he’ll proceed to steer the occasion within the state.
The occasion has additionally determined not to reply to a authorized discover from nationwide secretary Sachidanand Singh difficult Sunetra’s appointment as NCP nationwide president. “We do not even have to reply to it. If there may be any malicious intent behind sending this discover, we want it to be uncovered after we determine not to reply to it,” stated a supply near the Energy household.
Infighting and lack of communication inside the NCP has left the group in limbo, with a number of key appointments pending. The occasion doesn’t have a president who represents younger folks and ladies. A brand new chairperson of the state ladies’s fee couldn’t be appointed following the resignation of Rupali Chakankar. The assured monetary portfolio now seems to be out of attain, and no progress has been made on that entrance. The portfolio was as soon as held by Ajit Pawar, however after his demise, the duty of the division was taken over by Fadnavis.
Whispers amongst MLAs counsel that the merger of the 2 NCPs might revitalize the occasion, however nobody has formally raised the problem with the management. The matter is unlikely to maneuver ahead except the Pawar household reaches an settlement on the management situation, folks acquainted with the matter stated. A number of members of the following technology of the Pawar household, Parth, Jay (Sunetra’s second son), Rohit (son of Ajit Pawar’s cousin Rajendra) and Yugendra (Ajit Pawar’s nephew) have entered politics, with Sunetra as deputy CM and Supriya Sule as Baramati MP and key determine in her father Sharad Pawar’s occasion.
