NCP(Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule stated on Saturday, November 14, 2026, that the potential merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party has come to a complete halt. She revealed that while a date for the merger had been set, the process ended the day her cousin and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, passed away.
Ajit Pawar, who served as the national president of the rival faction, died in an aircraft accident at Pune's Baramati airport on January 28. Ms. Sule noted that the party spokesperson refrained from making statements or counters to the rival faction during those discussions.
The clarification follows recent high-profile meetings, including one between NCP working president Praful Patel and Sharad Pawar, which fueled rumors of a reunion. While NCP MP Sunil Tatkare described Mr. Patel's visit as personal, speculation grew further after senior leaders met Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of his scheduled Pune visit on November 15.
Adding to the political tension, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut cautioned the NCP(SP) against pursuing a merger for the sake of ministerial positions. Raut argued that it would be contrary to Sharad Pawar's lifelong principles to negotiate with a group he described as being subservient to the BJP.
