Nationalist Congress Party (SP) working president Supriya Sule announced that discussions regarding a potential reunion concluded following Ajit Pawar's fatal aircraft crash at Baramati airport on January 28, 2026. Rival state president Sunil Tatkare corroborated that merger prospects are entirely off the table, with the party remaining loyal to the BJP-led NDA under Sunetra Pawar. Tatkare also dismissed outside claims regarding shifting loyalties, asserting that recent cross-faction interactions were merely personal health visits rather than political negotiations. Furthermore, he rejected opposition assertions that dozens of sitting legislators were preparing to defect.
Key points
Formal unification between the two divided Nationalist Congress Party factions is no long…: Formal unification between the two divided Nationalist Congress Party factions is no longer being actively pursued by either side.
Cross-faction leadership visits are being characterized strictly as personal welfare chec…: Cross-faction leadership visits are being characterized strictly as personal welfare checks rather than covert political negotiations.
The ruling alliance faction plans to maintain its political trajectory under the continui…: The ruling alliance faction plans to maintain its political trajectory under the continuing leadership of Sunetra Pawar.
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Supriya Sule's message on NCP merger after Ajit Pawar's death
NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule on Saturday said discussions over a possible merger between the two rival NCP factions had come to an end following the death of her brother and former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.Her remarks come amid speculation over a possible reunion between the factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, with leaders from both sides now ruling out any immediate merger.Speaking at a presser, Sule said, "The merger (of both factions of the party) was discussed until my brother (Ajit Pawar) was alive. The day he left us, it put a full stop to those discussions."Ajit Pawar died on January 28, 2026 after the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district.Meanwhile, Maharashtra NCP president and MP Sunil Tatkare on Friday also dismissed speculation about a possible merger, asserting that his faction was not considering any reunion with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SCP).“There is absolutely no discussion regarding a merger in…
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