MUMBAI — Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reignited political speculation by holding closed-door meetings with leaders of rival factions within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a move that comes nearly six months after the sudden death of Ajit Pawar derailed a near-finalized merger agreement. The discussions, confirmed by sources within both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the NCP, have raised questions about whether the BJP is seeking to consolidate its alliance ahead of the state assembly elections later this year—or simply probing the fractured opposition for vulnerabilities.
What Happened
Fadnavis met with representatives from both the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction and the Ajit Pawar faction on Tuesday, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. The meeting, described as “exploratory” by a senior BJP leader who spoke on condition of anonymity, was aimed at assessing the “political mood” within the NCP rather than finalizing any formal proposal. However, the Hindustan Times reported that a merger agreement had been “almost finalized” before Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash on January 28, 2026, suggesting that Tuesday’s talks may be a revival of earlier negotiations.
Neither Fadnavis nor the NCP factions issued public statements following the meeting, but insiders within the Sharad Pawar camp told Hindustan Times that the discussions were “significant” and that Fadnavis had “taken a personal interest” in bridging the divide. The Ajit Pawar faction, now led by his son Parth Pawar, has been more open about its willingness to rejoin the BJP-led alliance, with Parth Pawar stating in recent weeks that the group is “open to all political possibilities.”
Why It Matters
The timing of the meeting is politically charged, coming just months before Maharashtra’s assembly elections, where the BJP is seeking to regain its dominance after losing ground in the 2024 general elections. A reunified NCP could serve as a force multiplier for the BJP, either by strengthening its coalition or by splitting the opposition vote—depending on the terms of any potential alliance.
For the BJP, a merger with either NCP faction could help consolidate its position in western Maharashtra, a region where the party has historically struggled to make inroads among rural and agrarian voters. The NCP, despite its internal divisions, remains a formidable force in the state’s sugar belt and cooperative sector, which could provide the BJP with a critical electoral boost.
However, the move also carries risks. The Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), the BJP’s current ally, has its own ambitions in western Maharashtra and could view an NCP merger as a threat to its influence. Additionally, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has yet to rule on the dispute over the NCP’s name and election symbol, which both factions currently claim. A merger before the ECI’s decision could complicate the legal and logistical aspects of any alliance.
Background and Context
The NCP has been fractured since July 2023, when Ajit Pawar engineered a split by joining the BJP-led Maharashtra government as deputy chief minister. The rebellion created two rival factions: one led by Sharad Pawar, the party’s 85-year-old patriarch, and the other by Ajit Pawar. The factions briefly reunited in January 2026 under a power-sharing agreement brokered by Sharad Pawar, but the deal collapsed following Ajit Pawar’s death.
Since then, both factions have operated under provisional arrangements, with the ECI yet to adjudicate their competing claims to the NCP’s name and symbol. The Sharad Pawar faction has accused the Ajit Pawar group of “betrayal” during the 2023 split, while the latter has argued that it represents the “true” NCP. The legal battle over the party’s identity has added another layer of complexity to any potential merger talks.
Sharad Pawar has publicly dismissed merger speculation in recent weeks, stating that the party would “chart its own course” ahead of the elections. However, his faction’s participation in Tuesday’s meeting suggests that internal dynamics may be more fluid than his public statements indicate.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The lack of a formal announcement following the meeting leaves several key questions unanswered:
1. Leadership and Power-Sharing: Any merger would require delicate negotiations over leadership roles, candidate selection, and ministerial berths. The Sharad Pawar faction has historically resisted ceding control, while the Ajit Pawar faction has sought greater autonomy. Parth Pawar’s emergence as a key figure in the latter group could further complicate these discussions.
2. Electoral Symbol and Legal Status: The ECI’s pending decision on the NCP’s name and symbol could determine whether a merged party would operate under a unified banner or as separate entities. If the ECI rules in favor of the Sharad Pawar faction, the Ajit Pawar group may be forced to contest under a different name, potentially diluting its electoral appeal.
3. BJP’s Strategic Calculus: Fadnavis, known for his strategic acumen, may be using the meeting to gauge the NCP’s internal divisions rather than committing to a definitive course of action. The BJP’s primary goal could be to prevent the opposition from consolidating, even if a full merger is not immediately achievable.
4. Shiv Sena’s Reaction: The Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) has not publicly commented on the meeting, but its leadership is likely to view any NCP merger as a potential threat to its own electoral prospects. The Sena’s base in Mumbai and coastal Maharashtra overlaps with the NCP’s strongholds in western Maharashtra, raising the possibility of friction within the BJP-led alliance.
What to Watch Next
1. ECI’s Ruling on the NCP Symbol: The Election Commission’s decision on the NCP’s name and symbol will be a critical factor in determining the feasibility of any merger. A ruling in favor of the Sharad Pawar faction could force the Ajit Pawar group to contest under a different banner, complicating alliance negotiations.
2. Public Statements from NCP Leaders: Sharad Pawar’s public stance has been dismissive of merger talks, but his faction’s participation in Tuesday’s meeting suggests that internal discussions may be more nuanced. Any shift in his rhetoric—or that of other NCP leaders—could signal a change in the party’s strategy.
3. BJP’s Official Position: Fadnavis has not issued a public statement on the meeting, leaving the BJP’s intentions unclear. If the party formally endorses a merger, it could indicate a strategic shift ahead of the elections. Conversely, if the BJP downplays the talks, it may suggest that the meeting was merely a tactical move to test the opposition’s unity.
4. Shiv Sena’s Response: The Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) has remained silent on the meeting, but its leadership is likely to monitor developments closely. Any signs of discontent within the Sena could force the BJP to recalibrate its approach to the NCP.
5. Parth Pawar’s Role: Ajit Pawar’s son has emerged as a key figure in the Ajit Pawar faction, and his statements in the coming weeks could provide insight into the group’s willingness to rejoin the BJP-led alliance. If Parth Pawar signals openness to a merger, it could accelerate negotiations.
Conclusion
Fadnavis’s meeting with NCP faction leaders has injected fresh uncertainty into Maharashtra’s political landscape, just months before a high-stakes assembly election. While the discussions appear to be in their early stages, the mere possibility of a merger has reignited speculation about the BJP’s strategy to regain its dominance in the state.
For the NCP, the talks represent both an opportunity and a risk. A reunified party could strengthen its bargaining power with the BJP, but it could also deepen existing divisions if negotiations over leadership and power-sharing falter. The ECI’s pending decision on the party’s name and symbol adds another layer of complexity, making any merger far from a foregone conclusion.
As Maharashtra’s political parties prepare for the elections, the outcome of these talks could reshape the state’s alliance dynamics—and determine whether the BJP can reverse its recent electoral setbacks.
Story synopsis gathered from: [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fadnavis-meets-leaders-of-ncp-factions-fuels-fresh-buzz-about-their-merger-101784085485148.html) — source.
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Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source.
