Is the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) heading towards a merger with Sharad Pawar’s faction, or are senior leaders within Ajit Pawar’s party mounting pressure on Sunetra Pawar and her son, Parth Pawar, over the party’s leadership?

A series of political developments, including a meeting between Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel at Breach Candy Hospital, has brought these questions back into focus.

During the meeting on November 5, Sharad Pawar told Patel that they could sit together after November 10. Patel responded that he would be in Mumbai after that date and was ready to meet whenever Pawar decided.

While Patel maintained that the meeting was only to enquire about Pawar’s health, the exchange has triggered fresh speculation about a possible political discussion between the two leaders. The merger question has also exposed differing positions within the NCP.

State party president Sunil Tatkare said there was currently no discussion about a merger. However, he added that if Ajit Pawar had been alive, both factions would have come together. He also suggested that February 12, a date being discussed for the merger, could have been finalised had Ajit Pawar been present.

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar claimed that the merger was certain and that Ajit Pawar wanted the Pawar family to remain united. He questioned Tatkare’s changing statements, pointing out that less than ten days after Ajit Pawar’s death, Tatkare had denied that any merger discussions had taken place.

Rohit Pawar suggested that there could be a political strategy behind these changing statements.

Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh also questioned Tatkare’s position. He claimed that meetings had taken place, including one in Baramati in Ajit Pawar’s presence and another at Jayant Patil’s residence, to discuss bringing the two factions together.

Deshmukh said Tatkare had initially denied these discussions and questioned whether he was under pressure. He added that those willing to join Sharad Pawar’s party were welcome.

Meanwhile, reports of discontent within Ajit Pawar’s NCP have added another dimension to the developments. Six senior leaders, including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse Patil and Dhananjay Munde, reportedly met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on November 2. Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar were not part of the delegation.

Reports suggested that the leaders raised concerns over collective leadership, consultation within the party and Parth Pawar’s growing role. The NCP, however, denied any internal rift and described the meeting as pre-planned.

Adding to the political speculation, Sharad Pawar’s associate Vitthal Maniyar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called Pawar after his hospitalisation. According to Maniyar, Modi told him: “Supriya and I will take care of the country. You should take care of your health and remain strong to bless us.”

This account has further fuelled political discussion, although it does not establish any political understanding between the leaders.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also met Sharad Pawar, said his visit was personal and limited to enquiring about his health. He stressed that some relationships go beyond politics.

With the proposed conversation after November 10, differing claims over the merger and reported unease within Ajit Pawar’s party, the NCP faces two crucial questions: whether the two factions will reunite and who will lead the party in the post-Ajit Pawar era.

- Ends