The death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier this week has reignited talks of a possible merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Communist Party (NCP). While the NCP was led by Ajit Pawar, the other faction, NCP (SP) was headed by his uncle and former union minister Sharad Pawar.
In the recent Maharashtra civic body elections, NCP and NCP (SP) contested the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections together. Talks were also underway to form an alliance for the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls. The two developments had also renewed speculation about the two factions possibly coming together under one symbol.
Now, Ajit Pawar’s demise has given further push to the talks on the possible merger.
Kiran Gujar, a member of the Vidya Prathisthan and close associate of the Pawar family, said today that it was Ajit Pawar’s last wish to unite the two party factions.
Ajit Pawar’s funeral was held at the Vidya Prathisthan Ground yesterday, following his demise in a plane crash in Baramati on Wednesday morning.
Kiran Gujar today told reporters, “Today, the ashes of Ajit Pawar were immersed at Sangam here. It was ‘Dada’s’ last wish that this (merger of two factions of NCP) should happen. All should be united. Talks about this were happening throughout the family. In my last phone call with them, he had asked me for some election-related papers.”
#WATCH | Baramati, Maharashtra | Kiran Gujar, Member of Vidya Prathisthan and close associate of Pawar family, says, “Today, immersion of ashes of Ajit Pawar has done at Sangam here…It was ‘Dada’s’ last wish that this (merger of two factions of NCP) should happen. All should be… pic.twitter.com/s9oyqeGtqW
— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2026
NCP-SP leader Eknath Khadse also said in Baramati today that talks for a possible merger had been going on for three to four months and Ajit Pawar was aware of the matter.
“It was almost decided that the merger would happen. The Sharad Pawar faction said we would fight under the ‘clock’ symbol in the local body elections. There was a plan to announce the merger also,” said Khadse.
#WATCH | Baramati, Maharashtra | NCP-SCP leader Eknath Khadse says, “Talks for merger (of NCP and NCP-SCP) were going on for the last 3-4 months, and Ajit Dada knew about it. It was almost decided that the merger would happen. The Sharad Pawar faction said we would fight under… pic.twitter.com/76YYmrFo1K
— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2026
Senior NCP (SP) leader and former Maharashtra Home Minister, Anil Deshmukh, acknowledged that Pawar wanted the two factions to unite. “Ajit Pawar wanted a merger to happen. Jayant Patil also held meetings. We will decide after the municipal corporation elections. Both factions need to come together as per Ajit Dada’s wish. This was his final wish, so steps should be taken accordingly,” Deshmukh said.
Suntera Pawar to be NCP chief and Deputy CM?
NCP leader Umesh Patil said it was the wish of party workers that both factions should join hands. Patil added that Dada’s wife should become the party chief as well as the state Deputy CM.
“Suntera Pawar (Ajit Pawar’s wife) has been connected to politics and has also worked on the ground for many years now. I don’t think she will have any trouble handling everything. She should definitely be given the post (the Deputy CM).”
BJP leader Ram Kadam also said he was aware of reports that Sunetra Pawar could be considered for the post of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, to replace Ajit Pawar in the Mahayuti government.
“The sudden death of Ajit Pawar is a significant loss for both his political party and the state of Maharashtra. The decision on who will succeed him as Deputy Chief Minister is a private matter for his party. However, reports suggest that Sunetra Pawar is being considered. She is not merely a housewife; she is a current Member of Parliament, and if she is chosen as Deputy Chief Minister, that decision will be made by her party. I believe this would serve as a fitting tribute to Ajit Pawar from his party,” Kadam said.
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC, however, asked people not to speculate and allow the Pawar family to grieve. She added that any decision on the new NCP chief and the Maharashtra Deputy CM post lies with the party.
“I don’t think this is the time for any kind of speculation. We have just lost Ajit Dada, a great loss to the state of Maharashtra. It is the NCP’s decision who to make the party president and who to make the deputy chief minister. These are all speculative theories that can wait. Politics will go on. Let the family grieve,” Shaina NC told ANI news agency.