Speculation is rife over a potential merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly showing keen interest to consolidate the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) parliamentary numbers. The faction led by Sunetra Pawar is already allied with the NDA, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction remains with the opposition. Recent meetings between leaders of both groups have fueled discussions about a shift in Maharashtra's political landscape. While a significant portion of the Sharad Pawar faction's legislators reportedly favor joining the NDA, Sunetra Pawar and her son are said to be resistant to a merger, aiming to prevent Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule from regaining party leadership. This internal division is further highlighted by reported challenges to Sunetra Pawar's election as NCP president.

Speculation is rife over a potential merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly showing keen interest to consolidate the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) parliamentary numbers. The faction led by Sunetra Pawar is already allied with the NDA, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction remains with the opposition. Recent meetings between leaders of both groups have fueled discussions about a shift in Maharashtra's political landscape. While a significant portion of the Sharad Pawar faction's legislators reportedly favor joining the NDA, Sunetra Pawar and her son are said to be resistant to a merger, aiming to prevent Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule from regaining party leadership. This internal division is further highlighted by reported challenges to Sunetra Pawar's election as NCP president.

Speculation is rife over a potential merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly showing keen interest to consolidate the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) parliamentary numbers. The faction led by Sunetra Pawar is already allied with the NDA, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction remains with the opposition. Recent meetings between leaders of both groups have fueled discussions about a shift in Maharashtra's political landscape. While a significant portion of the Sharad Pawar faction's legislators reportedly favor joining the NDA, Sunetra Pawar and her son are said to be resistant to a merger, aiming to prevent Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule from regaining party leadership. This internal division is further highlighted by reported challenges to Sunetra Pawar's election as NCP president.

Speculation over a possible merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has intensified, with reports suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is taking a keen interest in reuniting the two rival groups.

The BJP, which is looking to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) numbers in Parliament, is reportedly in favour of the NCP being part of the alliance as a united party rather than continuing as two separate factions. The faction led by Sunetra Pawar is already part of the NDA, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction, led by Sharad Pawar, remains an ally of the Opposition-led Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Earlier this week, a late-night meeting between leaders of both NCP factions at the official residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had fuelled talk of a possible shift in the state’s political equations.

Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare, senior party leader Praful Patel, and NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil met the chief minister separately.

Reports suggest that a majority of MLAs and MPs from the Sharad Pawar faction favour joining the NDA, arguing that participation in both the central and Maharashtra governments would help strengthen the party’s organisational structure.

However, despite the BJP’s reported efforts, Sunetra Pawar and her elder son, Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar, are said to be opposed to a merger.

“Both the NCP president and her son are firmly opposed to the merger, as they do not want NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule to regain control of the party,” a close aide of Sunetra Pawar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Reports indicate that Sunetra Pawar wants to retain the post of NCP president in the event of a merger.

The speculation comes amid reports of internal differences within the ruling NCP, with a section of leaders questioning the election of Sunetra as party president. NCP national secretary Sachchidanand has reportedly issued a notice through a Delhi-based law firm, claiming that the election held on February 26 was unconstitutional and should be declared null and void.