Sanjay Raut Rejects Sharad Pawar’s NCP Merger With BJP

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has strongly rejected speculation that the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) could merge with the rival NCP faction aligned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Raut said Sharad Pawar and his daughter, Supriya Sule, would not join what he described as Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s NCP. His remarks came amid renewed political discussion about a possible reunion of the two NCP factions following meetings between senior leaders.

The speculation has gained attention in Maharashtra after leaders associated with the faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar met Sharad Pawar. However, Sule has said that the possibility of a merger ended following the death of her brother, former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in January 2026.

NCP Maharashtra president Sunil Tatkare has also dismissed reports suggesting that a merger is currently being discussed, adding another layer of uncertainty to the political developments.

Sanjay Raut Questions the Political Direction of the NCP Faction

Raut’s objection centres on the political alignment of the NCP faction currently associated with the BJP-led ruling alliance. He has argued that Sharad Pawar should not abandon the political principles and positions he has maintained over decades by joining a party aligned with the BJP.

In his latest remarks, Raut criticised discussions that could create confusion about the future of the Sharad Pawar-led party. He also questioned the political purpose of repeatedly raising the merger issue while leaders from the rival factions continued to meet.

Raut has maintained that the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) would not join the NDA. He has also suggested that the BJP has considerable influence over the decisions of the faction led by Sunetra Pawar.

His comments reflect the political differences between the two groups. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, while the rival NCP faction is aligned with the BJP-led NDA at the Centre and the Mahayuti government in the state.

Supriya Sule Says Merger Discussions Ended After Ajit Pawar’s Death

Supriya Sule has separately ruled out any ongoing merger discussions between the two NCP factions. She said conversations about bringing the parties together had taken place when Ajit Pawar was alive, but his sudden death changed the situation.

Speaking to reporters, Sule said she had not received a fresh merger proposal and that nobody had approached her on the issue.

She also referred to an earlier meeting involving family members at Govindbaug, the Pawar family’s residence in Baramati, on January 17, 2026. According to Sule, discussions about a possible merger were taking place at that time, and the people involved understood the direction in which the talks were moving.

However, she said Ajit Pawar’s death brought those discussions to an end from her side.

Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28, 2026. His death left the NCP faction he had led facing a change in leadership, with his wife, Sunetra Pawar, subsequently taking charge of the party.

Sule has also described meetings between Sharad Pawar and leaders from the rival faction as routine political and family interactions. She said such meetings should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a merger agreement.

Sunil Tatkare Rejects Reports of an Active Merger Proposal

Sunil Tatkare, Maharashtra president of the NCP faction led by Sunetra Pawar, has also played down speculation about a possible merger.

Tatkare said he saw no substance in reports suggesting that the two factions were engaged in active merger discussions. He referred to Sunetra Pawar’s earlier remarks that developments would become clear when the appropriate time arrived.

His comments came amid reports of meetings between senior leaders from the two sides, including NCP leader Praful Patel and Sharad Pawar.

Tatkare has previously acknowledged that discussions about reunification took place while Ajit Pawar was alive. He also said Ajit Pawar had indicated a possible date for the merger. However, Tatkare’s more recent public position has been that there is no current proposal or active discussion to bring the factions together.

The differing statements have added to uncertainty about whether any political understanding could emerge in the future. While some leaders have acknowledged earlier discussions, Sule and Tatkare have both questioned the claims of an ongoing merger process.

Meetings Between NCP Leaders Triggered Fresh Speculation

The latest round of merger speculation gathered momentum after several senior leaders from Sunetra Pawar’s faction met Sharad Pawar.

Praful Patel met Sharad Pawar at a hospital in Mumbai, while Parth Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s son, also met his grandfather at the latter’s residence. The meetings attracted political attention because they came amid renewed discussion about the possibility of bringing the two NCP factions together.

A video showing Sharad Pawar and Patel discussing a possible meeting after November 10 further fuelled speculation. However, meetings between political leaders do not in themselves establish that an agreement has been reached.

Sule has maintained that Sharad Pawar’s interactions with leaders from the rival faction should not be treated as confirmation of merger negotiations. She has also said that family relationships have continued despite the political split within the NCP.

The distinction is important because the two factions remain part of different political alliances. Any formal reunification would involve questions about leadership, party identity, political commitments and the future of their respective positions in Maharashtra Politics.

Why the NCP Merger Debate Matters in Maharashtra

The division within the NCP has been one of the major political developments in Maharashtra since Ajit Pawar’s faction separated from the Sharad Pawar-led party in 2023.

The split created two groups with different political alignments. Sharad Pawar’s faction remained with the opposition, while Ajit Pawar’s group joined the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra. The two sides subsequently operated under separate party identities.

A merger could therefore have consequences beyond the internal organisation of the NCP. It could affect the balance of political alliances, the distribution of leadership positions and the composition of the ruling and opposition camps in the state.

The situation has become more complicated following Ajit Pawar’s death and Sunetra Pawar’s assumption of leadership of his faction. The question is no longer limited to whether the two groups can reunite; it also involves who would lead a combined organisation and what political position it would adopt.

Raut’s intervention reflects the concerns of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes the NCP (SP). A shift by Sharad Pawar’s faction towards the BJP-led alliance would have implications for the opposition’s political structure in Maharashtra.

What Happens Next in the NCP Merger Row?

For now, there is no publicly confirmed merger agreement between the two NCP factions. Sule has said the discussions ended after Ajit Pawar’s death, while Tatkare has dismissed reports of an active proposal. Raut has also strongly opposed any possibility of Sharad Pawar’s faction joining the BJP-led alliance.

At the same time, meetings between senior leaders and references to earlier merger discussions have ensured that the issue remains part of Maharashtra’s political conversation.

Any future decision would require clarity from the leadership of both factions, particularly Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar. It would also need to address the political consequences of bringing together parties that currently operate within opposing alliances.

Raut’s latest remarks have made his position clear: he does not expect Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule to join the NCP faction aligned with Amit Shah and the BJP. Whether the two NCP groups maintain their separate identities or explore a political understanding later will depend on decisions by their respective leaderships.