NCP chief and Member of Parliament Sunil Tatkare said on Friday, 6 November 2026, that had former party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar been alive, the two rival Nationalist Congress Party factions would have already reunified — with the merger scheduled for 12 February. Tatkare's remarks come amid fresh political buzz in Maharashtra over whether a reunion between the NCP and NCP (Sharad Pawar) factions remains possible.

What Tatkare Said

'Discussions about the merger definitely took place when Ajit Pawar Dada was alive. He had also outlined how the merger would happen. If Ajit Dada were here, the merger would have happened on February 12. This would have been made possible through Ajit Dada's fierce willpower. I was a close aide of Ajit Dada, which is why I am aware of this matter,' Tatkare told reporters. He added that Ajit Pawar passed away in an accident on 28 January, which is why the process could not move forward.

Sule's Position and the Closed Chapter

NCP-SP Working President Supriya Sule had earlier acknowledged that merger discussions did take place directly with Ajit Pawar, but maintained that since he is no longer alive, the matter is 'practically closed.' Sule confirmed the merger would have gone through had Ajit Pawar been alive — a rare point of agreement between the two factions amid months of acrimony.

Patel-Sharad Pawar Meeting Stirs Fresh Buzz

Tatkare's statement comes a day after NCP Working President Praful Patel met NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday night at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, where the veteran politician is admitted for a comprehensive health check-up. Patel confirmed that the conversation touched on political matters, though he declined to share specifics. He said Sharad Pawar's health is 'very good' and quoted him as being in good spirits: 'He was smiling and asking about what is going on politically. Whatever our political stances may be, our personal affection remains intact.' Patel said he is expected to meet Sharad Pawar again on or after 10 November.

The meeting gained added significance after Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Sharad Pawar on Wednesday to inquire about his health. Family friend and close aide Vitthal Maniyar said the Prime Minister warmly told Sharad Pawar: 'Supriya and we will handle the country; you take care of your health and rest. Let your blessings remain with us.'

Internal NCP Tensions and the Shah Meeting

The political backdrop is further complicated by internal friction within NCP. A group of senior NCP leaders reportedly met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday to raise concerns about the unilateral functioning of MP Parth Pawar. The delegation, which notably excluded party chief Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar, was reportedly advised by Shah to 'pull up the socks', with the warning that the NCP's organisational weakening was hurting the MahaYuti alliance in Maharashtra. Patel, Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, and former Minister Dilip Walse Patil subsequently briefed the core committee led by Sunetra Pawar on Monday.

No Merger — The Official NCP Position

Despite the flurry of meetings and speculation, the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP has firmly ruled out any merger. After its core committee meeting on 25 October, the party announced unambiguously that there will be no reunion between the two factions. By declining to share organisational control or merge, the ruling NCP faction — which holds official symbol rights granted by the Election Commission of India — has reinforced its commitment to the MahaYuti alliance alongside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena. Critics argue this decision codifies a permanent structural rift within the Pawar legacy and reshapes coalition dynamics across Maharashtra's political divide. With both factions now on divergent electoral trajectories, the contest for the original NCP mandate is set to intensify in the months ahead.