'Discussions ended the day he left us': Sule breaks silence on NCP merger buzz

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 our party at any level,” Tatkare told news agency ANI.

Speculation over a possible reunion intensified after senior NCP leader Praful Patel recently met Sharad Pawar. However, Tatkare described the meeting as a personal visit to enquire about the veteran leader's health, dismissing any political significance. “Pawar Sahab has contributed to national politics for 60 years. At 86, his health hasn't been well. We have all reached various political positions with his blessings. Praful Bhai simply went to check on his health,” he said.

Reaffirming his faction's association with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Tatkare said, “We joined the NDA after deep consideration under the leadership of Narendra Modi. We are in the NDA and will remain in the NDA."

Tatkare also hit back at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut over his recent claim that 20 to 22 MLAs were ready to switch sides. “After the assembly elections, his mental health has deteriorated. Mentally, he is not fit. These statements are completely baseless,” he said.

Tatkare further asserted that his faction would remain with the NDA under the leadership of Sunetra Pawar, adding that the "question of a merger does not even arise." Clarifying his earlier remarks on the merger discussions, Tatkare said there was "no confusion" on his part. He maintained that late Ajit Pawar, whom party leaders referred to as 'Dada', had spoken to him in detail about a possible merger on February 12 and had even outlined a formula for the arrangement after the proposed reunion.