New Delhi: Maharashtra may witness a significant political realignment as talks intensify over a possible merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Ajit Pawar. Sources suggest that the formal merger could be announced on June 10 — the party’s foundation day — marking a dramatic shift in state and national politics.
Notably Sharad Pawar already distanced him self from INDIA group by not signing in a opposition leaders joint letter to Modi govt to convein special session of parliament to discuss pahalgam attack on April 22 and all of sudden seasefire under pressure from US President Donald Trump.
If the merger between NCP factions materializes, it would a formal signal the virtual exit of Sharad Pawar from the INDIA opposition bloc, thereby boosting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s Lok Sabha tally. With eight MPs currently aligned with Sharad Pawar, the NDA’s total in the lower house could exceed 300 from the present 293, further strengthening Prime Minister Modi’s government.
Top political insiders in Maharashtra confirm that a one-on-one meeting between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar is likely within the next 48 hours. Although Sharad Pawar remains the party chief, sources close to him say he is under mounting pressure from second-rung leaders, who are more concerned with securing their political and business interests than preserving ideological divides.
Many of these leaders, especially in the cooperative sector, own sugar mills and construction businesses. With upcoming local body elections in the next 4–6 months, they are eager to retain influence over village panchayats, district councils, and municipalities — critical strongholds for the rural-based NCP.
However, the road to merger is not smooth. Ajit Pawar’s camp has reportedly demanded public apologies from Sharad Pawar loyalists who had earlier criticized his leadership. While Ajit’s faction appears eager for unity, they want it on their terms, potentially cutting senior Pawar loyalists down to size to make way for their own power base.
Sharad Pawar’s key concern appears to be the political future of his daughter, Supriya Sule. Sources indicate he may agree to the merger but seek significant positions for Sule and loyalists like Jayant Patil, sidelining Ajit’s top aides like Dhananjay Munde, who is already under pressure in Beed. Vaishali Chakankar, the state women’s wing chief, is also facing serious allegations in a dowry death case in Pune.
Interestingly, Sharad Pawar refused to comment on the Malegaon cooperative sugar factory elections in Baramati, where his supporters are pitted against the Ajit camp. Despite these tensions, the timing and symbolism of a June 10 merger — marking NCP’s 1999 founding — carry strong political weight.
Ajit Pawar, though seemingly secure in his alliance with the BJP, has suffered recent setbacks, including the defection of seven MLAs in Nagaland. In a sign of growing unease, only one minister — Chhagan Bhujbal — was inducted in the most recent swearing-in, an unusual move in Maharashtra politics.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis publicly praised Sharad Pawar at a recent Indian Express event, calling him a resilient figure regardless of electoral outcomes — possibly a signal from the BJP top brass to ease Pawar into the NDA fold with respect.
As the June 10 deadline nears, Maharashtra waits to see whether one of its longest-running political dramas ends in reconciliation — or sparks a new phase of power struggles within the Pawar dynasty.
(Writer is Senior Journalist and Political Commentator)
