Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Working President Praful Patel held a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Thursday, 5 November 2026, reigniting speculation about a possible merger or reunion between the two estranged NCP factions. The visit comes against a backdrop of mounting internal tensions within the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and fresh chatter over the party's organisational direction.

What Was Discussed

Patel confirmed after the meeting that he and Pawar also spoke about politics, though he declined to share specifics. Patel said the primary purpose of his visit was to inquire about the veteran leader's health, and described Pawar as being in good spirits.

'Pawar Saheb was smiling and asking about what is going on politically. His health is currently very good. Whatever our political stances may be, our personal affection remains intact. Our political paths had drifted apart, but I keep meeting Pawar Saheb as we have family ties. Sharad Pawar only asked generally about what is happening in politics. He inquired about what is going on in the country and the state, and even asked about America,' Patel said outside the hospital.

Patel added that Pawar had initially been admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune due to fatigue before being shifted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai for a comprehensive check-up. He said Pawar's health is currently 'very good' and indicated he expects to meet him again on or after 10 November.

PM Modi's Call and Earlier Visitors

The meeting followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's phone call to Sharad Pawar on Wednesday to inquire about his health. Pawar's family friend and close aide Vitthal Maniyar, speaking to reporters outside the hospital, said Modi warmly asked the veteran politician to prioritise rest.

Modi reportedly told Pawar: 'Supriya Sule and we will handle the country; you take care of your health and rest. Let your blessings remain with us.' Earlier on Thursday morning, Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal had also visited Pawar to check on his health, as did Congress MLA Vishwajit Kadam.

Internal NCP Tensions Add Context

Patel's hospital visit carries particular political weight given the internal turbulence gripping the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. On 1 November, a group of senior NCP leaders — notably excluding party chief Sunetra Pawar and her son, MP Parth Pawar — met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. According to reports, the delegation complained about the unilateral functioning of Parth Pawar within the party structure.

Shah reportedly advised the delegation to 'pull up the socks', warning that the weakening of the NCP organisation was hurting the broader MahaYuti alliance in Maharashtra. Subsequently, Patel, Bhujbal, and former minister Dilip Walse Patil briefed the party's core committee — led by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar — on the need for urgent corrective measures.

Merger Talk Denied, But Buzz Persists

The NCP has officially denied any plans for a merger or reunion with the NCP (SP). Nevertheless, Patel's extended meeting with Sharad Pawar has revived those conversations in Maharashtra's political circles. Notably, this is not an isolated outreach — both Bhujbal and Kadam made separate visits to Pawar on the same day, signalling sustained contact across political lines.

Whether these meetings represent a genuine thaw or are simply goodwill visits during a health scare remains to be seen; all eyes will be on developments when Patel is next scheduled to meet Pawar after 10 November.