Ajit Pawar's unexpected passing has wrenched Maharashtra's politics into a storm of uncertainty. Conflicting claims surface as both NCP factions discuss a possible merger. Sharad Pawar asserts that high-level talks were underway with Ajit Pawar about unifying the NCP factions. Meanwhile, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and senior leaders from Ajit Pawar’s group have outright denied any merger discussions. CM Devendra Fadnavis has questioned the validity of these claims, stating Ajit Pawar was in close contact with him and never mentioned a merger.
Additionally, it was highlighted that Ajit Pawar's role in the Mahayuti government faced no threats, making it unlikely for him to consider leaving the party or merging. NCP (Ajit Pawar) senior leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Chhagan Bhujbal affirmed the 2023 decision to join the NDA as final, denying any merger talks with Sharad Pawar's NCP. Tatkare indicated that NCP (Ajit Pawar) is now an NDA member, and it is up to Sharad Pawar to decide if he wants to align his party with the ruling coalition.
Merger Talks Behind Closed Doors: Sharad Pawar
However, without naming anyone, Sharad Pawar responded to these denials, clarifying that merger discussions occurred 'behind closed doors,' involving only Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, and Rohit Pawar. Devendra Fadnavis and Sunil Tatkare were outside this inner circle, lacking the necessary insight to comment. Amidst this conflict, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faces a leadership crisis. Party leaders like Praful Patel are endeavoring to position Sunetra Pawar as the inheritor of her late husband's political legacy.
Read more: ‘Fulfilling Ajit Dada’s Dreams’: Sunetra Pawar’s First Tweet After Taking Oath as Maharashtra’s Deputy CM
Advice for Parth Pawar to Maintain a Low Profile
Sunetra Pawar has been elected as the leader of the party legislative group and assumed the Deputy CM's oath. Sharad Pawar expressed his unawareness about this, further widening the family and party rifts. Tensions escalated as the BJP allegedly suggested Ajit Pawar’s eldest son, Parth Pawar, maintain a low profile due to recent controversies. Discussions were also afloat that the NCP might consider sending Parth Pawar to Rajya Sabha, a seat vacated following Sunetra becoming Deputy CM.
Despite this, he was seen engaged in a private meeting with Sharad Pawar discussing his father’s memorial, as his mother Sunetra Pawar took the oath as the state's Deputy CM. Presently, the BJP is hesitant to include the Sharad Pawar faction in the Mahayuti. This deadlock hinders the prospects of merging the NCP's two factions. The future of NCP remains in flux, as both factions vie for power and the BJP quietly influences the shifting political spectrum in the state.
