One NCP Again? How Sharad Pawar's Next Move Could Reshape Maharashtra Politics

Published 15 July 2026 · local

One NCP Again? How Sharad Pawar's Next Move Could Reshape Maharashtra Politics Written By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 08:11 IST Reports of advanced merger

One NCP Again? How Sharad Pawar's Next Move Could Reshape Maharashtra Politics Written By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 08:11 IST Reports of advanced merger talks, meetings between senior leaders and Tuesday night's separate interactions with Devendra Fadnavis suggest discussions are active behind the scenes Rapid Read Whether these conversations culminate in a reunited NCP or remain another chapter in Maharashtra's long history of political intrigue will depend largely on one person: Sharad Pawar. (AFP) A series of late-night political meetings in Mumbai has once again put Maharashtra politics on edge. On Tuesday night, leaders from both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) separately met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, reviving speculation that the long-discussed reunion of the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar camps could finally be nearing completion, and that a united NCP may eventually join the BJP-led Democratic Alliance (NDA). Neither the Chief Minister’s Office, nor the leaders involved, disclosed what transpired during the meetings. But coming amid weeks of merger speculation, internal unrest in both factions and back-channel talks, the developments have acquired far greater political significance than an ordinary courtesy call. Here’s why the meetings matter. First, What Happened? NCP (Sharad Pawar) Maharashtra president Jayant Patil first met Sharad Pawar at his Mumbai residence, Silver Oak, before heading to meet Fadnavis later in the evening. Around the same time, senior leaders from the ruling NCP led by Ajit Pawar’s camp, including Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel, also met Fadnavis separately. ALSO READ | Sharad Pawar Meets NCP (SP) MLAs In Eknath Shinde’s Office, Sparks Buzz; Party Denies NDA Speculation While no official agenda was made public, the meetings came against the backdrop of sustained discussions over the future of the two NCP factions. Why Is Everyone Talking About A Merger? The speculation did not begin with Tuesday’s meetings. Earlier this month, The New Indian Express reported that negotiations to reunite the two NCP factions had advanced considerably and that a merger could take place before the united party formally joins the NDA. The report said leaders from both sides had been preparing the political ground after recent local body election outcomes.

In recent days, Jayant Patil’s meeting with senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde also triggered intense political chatter, although neither side confirmed any formal negotiations. Why Would Sharad Pawar Consider Joining NDA? For the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), the question is increasingly becoming one of political survival rather than ideology. ALSO READ | After TMC And Sena UBT, Will MPs From Sharad Pawar’s NCP Join BJP-Led NDA? According to The Indian Express, several MLAs within the party believe remaining in the Opposition has made it difficult to obtain development funds, administrative approvals and political space in their constituencies. Sources quoted by the newspaper said nearly half of the party’s 10 MLAs are inclined towards joining the ruling alliance. The party also faces the constant risk of defections if uncertainty over its future continues. Sharad Pawar himself, however, has maintained public silence and has not announced any decision. Trouble In Sunetra Pawar’s Party The reunion buzz comes at a time when Ajit Pawar’s NCP is dealing with its own organisational challenges. Over the past week, internal differences spilled into the open after party national secretary Sachchidanand Singh issued a legal notice challenging the election of Sunetra Pawar as the party’s national president, alleging that the February 26 organisational polls violated the party constitution. The move also questioned the authority under which the election process was conducted. The controversy followed reports that revised lists of office-bearers submitted to the Election Commission either omitted or incorrectly described the positions of senior leaders such as Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. While the party later attributed this to a typographical error, the developments fuelled speculation about unease within the organisation. Praful Patel has publicly dismissed suggestions of a split, saying Sachchidanand Singh’s letter “carries no weight" and insisting that differences should be resolved internally in the interest of the party. Why Would BJP Welcome Such A Move? For the BJP, bringing the two NCP factions together under the NDA umbrella would help eliminate one of Maharashtra’s biggest sources of political instability. It would also consolidate support in western Maharashtra, which is traditionally an NCP stronghold, reduce the possibility of anti-BJP vote consolidation, strengthen the ruling coalition ahead of upcoming civic and local body elections, and allow the BJP to negotiate with a single NCP leadership instead of balancing rival factions.