Sharad Pawar, the veteran leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has once again kept alive the speculation of a possible re-merger between the rival NCP factions—one led by him and the other by his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In a public statement made on June 27, 2025, Pawar said that if both factions could work together for the betterment of Maharashtra, it would be “welcome” and there would be “no harm in setting aside differences.”

These comments have sent fresh waves through Maharashtra's political corridors, already abuzz with the possibility of realignments ahead of local body elections. Though no formal talks or alliance proposals have been announced, the visual optics of both Pawars sharing the stage multiple times recently has deepened the buzz about a political patch-up.

A Possible Political U-Turn?

Sharad Pawar’s latest remarks mark a dramatic softening of stance. Just weeks ago, he had ruled out any alignment with those who had “joined hands with the BJP.” Ajit Pawar, as part of the Mahayuti alliance with BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), currently serves as Deputy Chief Minister.

In his earlier speech in Pune, Sharad Pawar had stated clearly, “We can only be with people who believe in the ideology of Gandhi, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar.” Yet, the tone of his new remarks—“There is no harm in setting aside differences for better governance”—has opened the door to a potential rethinking.

What’s Driving the Merger Speculation?

Several factors have led to this surge in NCP merger speculation:

1. Repeated Public Appearances Together: Sharad and Ajit Pawar have recently been seen sharing the dais on multiple occasions, sometimes even exchanging friendly gestures.

2. Upcoming Local Body Elections: With the local civic elections approaching in Maharashtra, strategic regrouping could help both factions consolidate rural and cooperative vote bases.

3. Ajit Pawar's Win in Cooperative Elections: Ajit Pawar’s clean sweep of the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Factory elections, where his Shri Nilkantheshwar Panel won 20 of 21 seats, has been seen as a massive power statement, particularly in the Baramati region. This cooperative is one of the most influential in Western Maharashtra, and Ajit’s victory has significantly bolstered his clout.

Ajit Pawar vs Sharad Pawar: The Numbers Game

The 2024 Assembly elections brought a rude shock for Sharad Pawar’s NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction or NCP-SP). The Ajit Pawar-led NCP won 41 Assembly seats, while the NCP-SP secured only 10. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the roles reversed: Sharad Pawar’s faction won 8 out of 10 seats it contested, while Ajit’s NCP managed only 1.

This back-and-forth has made both factions realise the potential benefits of reunification—a shared voter base, reduced vote split, and greater control over Maharashtra’s cooperative and rural power centres.

Conflicting Signals and Internal Discord

Despite Sharad Pawar’s positive tone, official denials and rebuttals persist. Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare, considered close to Ajit Pawar, recently dismissed the merger rumours, claiming that the 2023 decision to join the BJP-led NDA was “collective” and not just Ajit’s.

Tatkare said, “There is no proposal or intention for a re-merger. The focus remains on governance and alliance with Mahayuti.”

Such mixed signals reflect internal tensions, with many leaders within both camps still cautious about reconciliation, especially given ideological differences regarding BJP alliances.

Broader Realignments in Maharashtra Politics

The Thackeray cousins—Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray—recently announced a joint rally on July 6 to safeguard Marathi language rights, marking a rare show of unity after years of rivalry. With this newfound spirit of Maharashtra-centric unity, political analysts believe Sharad Pawar may also be exploring similar consolidation opportunities to maintain relevance.

Sharad Pawar’s public messaging seems carefully crafted—non-committal but suggestive. It keeps both factions on their toes and maintains leverage should a realignment become politically necessary.

The BJP Factor

If a re-merger were to happen, it would pose a dilemma for BJP, which has relied on Ajit Pawar’s faction for governance support in Maharashtra. Any NCP reunion may jeopardise internal balance in the Mahayuti alliance, especially if Sharad Pawar demands ideological distancing from BJP.

Sources say BJP leadership is closely monitoring the situation, though they are not interfering, believing Ajit Pawar is politically committed to the coalition—at least for now.

What Lies Ahead?

• No formal alliance or merger talks have been initiated, but Sharad Pawar’s public openness creates room for political maneuvering.

• Ajit Pawar’s recent electoral and cooperative wins indicate he is politically secure and may not rush into a merger unless terms are clearly in his favour.

• For Sharad Pawar, facing a weakened organisational base, a strategic understanding with Ajit could help consolidate ground support, particularly in Western Maharashtra.

Conclusion

The buzz around the NCP merger is far from baseless, but it's still speculative. Sharad Pawar’s statement about setting aside differences is more of a political message than an operational announcement.

With Maharashtra’s political chessboard rapidly shifting and local body polls looming, the Pawar family saga remains one of the most watched developments. Whether it ends in reunion, realignment, or further rivalry, it will profoundly influence Maharashtra's political trajectory in the months to come.

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