Sharad Pawar puts an end to speculations on merger
NCP SP leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) put an end to speculations about the likely merger between the Nationalist Congress Party and
NCP SP leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) put an end to speculations about the likely merger between the Nationalist Congress Party and the Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar group. “It has no relevance,” he said while speaking with reporters in Baramati. The statement is significant in the background of the reports of likely talks between the two parties. Over the last few months, several leaders had said that it was the late NCP leader Ajit Pawar’s last wish to see both parties. Leaders of both the parties had also acknowledged that talks of a merger were in the final stages before Ajit Pawar’s untimely demise in an air crash earlier this year. “That time has gone.
Everyone has moved on. The talks are not likely to go anywhere as of now,” a senior leader of the NCP said. Leaders indicated that there was an unwillingness to come together and join hands as a single party. Recently, NCP MP Parth Pawar met Sharad Pawar in Delhi. Dismissing speculations about any political discussion, his party sources said that it was a courtesy visit in the background of Parth Pawar’s engagement, which is slated to happen on July 29 in Pune. That Praful Patel was present during the meeting was a coincidence, a party leader claimed. On July 27, NCP leader Sunil Tatkare met Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. NCP sources indicated that the talks of a merger will not fructify anymore.
“Sunetra Pawar is unhappy with the proposal. She is not keen about the merger. It will upset the party equation internally. The political differences within the family have not been resolved,” a senior leader aware of the political developments, told The Hindu. Internal differences There are internal differences within the ruling NCP as well. One group wants a merger with the NCP SP. “It will only consolidate our strength. We will have better chances in the 2029 elections. The party will only grow stronger if we join hands,” a leader of the party said. The group believes that the two parties can stay together under the leadership of Sharad Pawar. But there is another group within the party which finds the possibility “discomforting.” “For us, our leaders are Sunetra vahini and Parth dada.
If a merger happens, the other part of the family will try to take away control from Ajit dada’s family. We are in power. Why will any other scenario be acceptable to us?” a leader asked. Several leaders also raised doubts about a consensus on the line of hierarchy and organisational leadership. When asked about the internal discussion within NCP SP, a senior leader said they had been told that there was no question of a merger. “The supreme leader always keeps his cards close to his chest. There is no question of predicting anything,” another leader said
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