NCP reunion rumors have intensified with speculations that MLAs from the Sharad Pawar faction may merge with the Ajit Pawar group to join the NDA, though key leaders like Supriya Sule and Sunil Tatkare have dismissed the claims amidst internal party divisions.

NCP reunion rumors have intensified with speculations that MLAs from the Sharad Pawar faction may merge with the Ajit Pawar group to join the NDA, though key leaders like Supriya Sule and Sunil Tatkare have dismissed the claims amidst internal party divisions.

NCP reunion rumors have intensified with speculations that MLAs from the Sharad Pawar faction may merge with the Ajit Pawar group to join the NDA, though key leaders like Supriya Sule and Sunil Tatkare have dismissed the claims amidst internal party divisions.

The buzz over a potential NCP reunion grew louder on Thursday, with reports hinting that most of the MLAs in the Sharad Pawar-led faction are mulling a merger with the Ajit Pawar faction and joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Although the reunion talks were at their peak, the death of Ajit Pawar had brought an end to the chatter. With the recent hospitalisation of Sharad Pawar, the rumours are back. A recent meeting between senior leaders like Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also added to the speculation.

However, MP Supriya Sule dismissed the merger talks, stating she had not received any proposal. "What kind of merger? I have not received any proposal. So I have no idea which party will be merged. No one has spoken to me about this," Sule said.

The MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) have sought time to meet Sharad Pawar. When asked about this, Sule said that since Sharad Pawar is a senior leader, “Many have met him before. So there is nothing new in these meetings,” she said.

The rumours have sparked a factional feud. A section of senior MLAs within the Sharad Pawar faction favours a merger of the two NCP factions and their subsequent joining of the ruling coalition. However, MLA Rohit Pawar is against the move. He expressed his objections, though he stated that he will accept whatever final decision the party takes.

Not just in the Sharad Pawar faction, the other faction too is witnessing intense activity. Speculations are that over 20 to 22 MLAs from the faction led by Sunetra Pawar might split. Local media reports hint that NCP MLAs have been called to the office of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. It is being said that an attempt is being made through this call to know the MLAs' stand on the merger. Sunetra herself remained non-committal about the merger. When asked about it, she gave a suggestive response in a few words, saying, "You will know soon."

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier stated that 20 to 22 MLAs from Sunetra Pawar's party could break away at any time. “If they return to their original home, it won't be called a merger, or they could join another party before the elections," Raut said.

However, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare has dismissed rumours of a split. "Our party is united. All 41 MLAs are working under the leadership of Sunetra Pawar. No one is leaving, and there will be no split in the party." Regarding speculation about a merger, he said, "Therefore, I don't think there's any truth to these speculations about a merger."

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