Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP and Maharashtra unit president Sunil Tatkare on Monday, 2 November 2026, firmly shut down speculation about a merger between the two NCP factions, declaring the issue 'completely closed' and reiterating that the party's focus remains on building a stronger organisation under the collective leadership of party president and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. Tatkare's remarks came on the heels of a charged 48 hours that saw top NCP leaders make an unscheduled visit to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, stoking fresh questions about internal cohesion within the Ajit Pawar-aligned faction.

What Was Decided at the Core Committee Meeting

Speaking to reporters after the party's core committee meeting at DCM Sunetra Pawar's official residence, Devgiri, in Mumbai, Tatkare said deliberations centred on how the party can function with a 'unified approach.' He dismissed reports of internal grievances, saying such matters were not even raised during the meeting. 'The issue of merger of two NCP factions ended long ago. This stance was previously maintained by Sharad Pawar's faction as well, and our position on the matter has been made clear,' Tatkare said.

He added that discussions also covered the party's response to the drought-like situation across Maharashtra and plans for upcoming programmes. 'Collective leadership has always been our core principle,' he noted, describing the meeting's atmosphere as 'cordial.'

The Amit Shah Meeting: What Reportedly Happened

The core committee meeting followed a Sunday-night delegation to Home Minister Amit Shah that notably excluded the Pawar family. The group — comprising Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel, state chief Sunil Tatkare, ministers Hasan Mushrif and Chhagan Bhujbal, former ministers Dilip Walse-Patil and Dhananjay Munde, and Sameer Bhujbal — reportedly raised concerns about unilateral decision-making by Sunetra Pawar and her son, Rajya Sabha member Parth Pawar.

According to sources, Shah reportedly advised the leaders to 'pull up their socks,' warning that the NCP's organisational troubles were hurting the broader Mahayuti ruling alliance in Maharashtra. 'These leaders were told that the problems within the NCP organisation are not harming them only. But being in Mahayuti, it is affecting the ruling alliance as a whole. If these issues are not resolved, then the alliance will face problems,' a source privy to the discussions said. Another leader confirmed Shah noted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was 'closely observing developments in Maharashtra.'

The Fault Lines Within NCP

The grievances are specific and well-documented. Chhagan Bhujbal is reportedly upset over the appointment of MLC Zeeshan Siddique as Mumbai NCP chief — a decision taken, according to him, without even informing senior leadership. Both Dilip Walse-Patil and Dhananjay Munde remain outside the state cabinet despite vacancies existing. The Finance portfolio, formerly held by the NCP, was taken over by the BJP following the death of Ajit Pawar and has not been returned despite repeated demands.

Additionally, Hasan Mushrif was reportedly asked to step aside from the Pune graduates' constituency polls after the NCP ceded its claim to the BJP — a seat where Mushrif's trusted aide Bhaiyya Mane was originally set to contest. Both Patel and Tatkare have previously called for introspection within the NCP following its defeat in the recent legislative council elections.

The NCP's Official Line

The party formally downplayed the Delhi visit. NCP National Spokesperson Umesh Patil called it 'highly unfortunate that unnecessary political colour is being given' to the meeting, and denied it reflected internal differences. Patil said the meeting was pre-arranged — that Sunetra Pawar herself had, in a prior meeting with Shah, indicated that a senior leaders' delegation would seek time with him.

'It appears that certain unseen forces are planting such reports to create an artificial narrative that there are internal differences within the Nationalist Congress Party,' Patil said. The party's public posture, for now, is one of unity — even as the fault lines are unmistakably visible.

What Comes Next

With Mahayuti's Maharashtra government already navigating a complex coalition arithmetic, the NCP's internal discord — particularly over cabinet portfolios and appointment decisions — will remain a pressure point. Whether Shah's reported counsel translates into structural changes within the NCP, or whether the public display of unity holds under continued strain, will define the party's trajectory in the weeks ahead.