Yugendra Pawar, the youth leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) — NCP SP — on Monday, 9 November claimed that a merger between the two rival NCP factions was not only inevitable but had been specifically planned for 12 February 2026, and that it was the late Ajit Pawar's personal wish to reunite with Sharad Pawar. The claim, made in Baramati, cuts through the official silence from both camps and injects new urgency into one of Maharashtra's most closely watched political storylines.

What Yugendra Pawar Said

'The merger was bound to happen. This was not a sudden development; we have been hearing these discussions and news for several months,' Yugendra Pawar said. He added that Ajit Pawar had convened a meeting at Govind Bagh — attended by media personnel — where the terms were finalised, and that Ajit Pawar himself was set to announce the reunion formally around 12 February. 'However, Dada unexpectedly passed away, leaving the matter put on hold. The merger was intended to happen, and it was Dada's wish to reunite with Pawar Saheb,' he revealed.

The Trigger: Patel–Sharad Pawar Meeting

Yugendra Pawar's remarks follow a high-profile meeting last week between NCP working president Praful Patel and NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar. Patel indicated that formal discussions and further clarity would emerge from upcoming scheduled meetings. Notably, both sides officially maintain that no formal merger negotiations are currently underway — making Yugendra Pawar's disclosure a significant departure from that position.

Contradicting Voices Within NCP SP

NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar questioned the renewed speculation and flagged the contradictory signals emerging from various leaders within both factions. Former minister and NCP SP leader Anil Deshmukh directly ruled out a merger. Meanwhile, NCP SP MP Amol Kolhe and legislator Jitendra Awhad, after visiting Sharad Pawar post his hospital discharge, clarified to reporters that the meeting was purely a health inquiry and that no merger discussions took place.

Alliance Partners and CM Fadnavis Weigh In

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis observed that both NCP factions are independent entities free to chart their own course, adding that it would be inappropriate to comment on their internal affairs. He noted, however, that if the factions move in that direction, they would consult their respective alliance partners. Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat was more forthcoming, claiming merger discussions appeared to be in their 'final stages' and suggesting that the roles of leaders from both sides would become clear soon. NCP Maharashtra unit president Sunil Tatkare echoed this, attributing the current delay primarily to leadership transitions following Ajit Pawar's passing, suggesting a reunion could have materialised earlier in the year had he been alive.

Call for Investigation Into Ajit Pawar's Death

Yugendra Pawar also reiterated the demand for a thorough probe into the plane crash on 28 January in Baramati that killed Ajit Pawar. 'I am not an aviation expert, a pilot, or someone who has studied the subject. However, our unanimous stance has always been that a full investigation must take place... Everyone desires that an investigation be conducted rapidly, and the findings must be made public,' he stated. Rohit Pawar has separately been raising this issue for some time.

With senior NCP SP leaders divided and alliance partners watching carefully, the coming weeks — and the scheduled meetings flagged by Praful Patel — are likely to determine whether this long-discussed merger moves from political speculation to formal reality.