Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: The two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are likely to reunite in mid-February, with a formal merger announcement expected after the local body elections, according to senior party sources.
Ajit Pawar Had Paved the Way for Merger Before Death
Before his tragic death in a plane crash on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had held several high-level meetings with his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar during December and January to finalise the merger plan. The two were expected to make a joint announcement soon after the municipal polls.
Key Leaders to Finalise Merger Next Week
Leaders from both the Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar factions are scheduled to meet next week to complete the merger process. However, internal disagreements persist, with some in Ajit Pawar’s camp fearing that the timing may be perceived as a political move, while Sharad Pawar’s loyalists are pushing for immediate unification.
Sunetra Pawar Emerging as Consensus Choice
Among the frontrunners to lead the unified NCP, sources named:
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Sunetra Pawar, Rajya Sabha MP and wife of Ajit Pawar
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Supriya Sule, MP and daughter of Sharad Pawar
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Praful Patel, senior NCP leader and former Union Minister
However, Sunetra Pawar is emerging as a popular and symbolic choice, with widespread calls from within the party to appoint her as the party president and legislative party leader. If political or legal hurdles arise, Praful Patel may be considered as a backup candidate.
A Reunion Long in the Making
NCP leader Ankush Kakade shared that Ajit Pawar wanted the reunion to serve as a birthday gift to Sharad Pawar on December 12, but the plan was postponed. Jayant Patil, another senior NCP leader, confirmed Ajit Pawar’s commitment to the merger and mentioned that high-level meetings had taken place as recently as January 16 and 17.
Background
The NCP split in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar and several senior leaders including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Dilip Walse-Patil joined the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, parting ways with Sharad Pawar’s original faction.
The tragic plane crash on Wednesday that killed Ajit Pawar and four others — including pilots Sumit Kapur, Shambhavi Pathak, security officer Vidip Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali — has cast a shadow over the reunion, but may also galvanise unity within the party ranks.
