NCP(SP) says Ajit Pawar had planned merger, NCP silent

INDIA

NCP(SP) says Ajit Pawar had planned merger, NCP silent | Mumbai News

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Rachit Sahai

January 30, 2026

3 min readMumbaiJan 30, 2026 10:29 PM IST

Amid renewed speculation over a possible merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party factions, leaders of the NCP(SP) on Friday claimed that talks on reunification had been concluded and were awaiting formal announcement, even as the Ajit Pawar-led NCP maintained silence on the issue and declined to acknowledge any such decision.

A day after NCP(SP) state president Shashikant Shinde and MLA Jayant Patil said merger talks had been finalised, senior party leader Eknath Khadse stated that discussions had been underway for several months. “It was almost decided that the merger would happen. There was a plan to announce merger,” Khadse said.

Former home minister Anil Deshmukh said Ajit Pawar himself wanted the factions to reunite. “Ajit Pawar wanted a merger to happen. Jayant Patil also held meetings… We will decide after the municipal corporation elections. Both factions need to come together as per Ajit Dada’s wish. This was his final wish, so steps should be taken accordingly,” Deshmukh said.

Former minister and NCP(SP) leader Rajesh Tope said the merger decision had been taken in Ajit Pawar’s presence. “We are the witness to it. Only the announcement was left, which was to be made after Zilla Parishad elections,” Tope said.

The Indian Express on Friday reported that the formal announcement of the merger had been planned for February 8.

However, sources within the NCP said only Ajit Pawar had held talks with NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar and that there was no clarity within the party about any final decision. “If at all the decision on merger was taken, none within the NCP were aware of it. Whether the announcement was after Zilla Parishad polls or anytime later was not known within the party,” a party leader said.

A merger of the two factions would result in power sharing and place Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule at the centre of a unified party.

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It would also bring senior leaders such as Jayant Patil, Shashikant Shinde, Eknath Khadse and Anil Deshmukh back into the political mainstream from the Opposition benches. Younger leaders such as Rohit Pawar and Rohit Patil would also move into the ruling side.

However, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare said the party’s immediate priority was choosing its legislative party leader. He said nothing else had been discussed.

Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal also played down the merger talk, saying the party’s focus was on filling the vacant post of deputy chief minister. “I am not sure about anything else,” Bhujbal said.

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra’s hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise

Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.

Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the ‘hinterlands’).

Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:

State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).

Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).

Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC’s OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.

Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness

Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.

Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.

Alok Deshpande’s rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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