No possibility of merger of NCP factions any more, our position is clear, says Jayant Patil

The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, officially ignored speculations about a possible merger with the Nationalist Congress Party, saying such talks are no longer being considered and its allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are aware of the party’s stance.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, NCP (SCP) State President Jayant Patil said, “The merger talks were started on Ajit Pawar’s insistence. He is no more. So, there is no possibility of merger anymore. This issue does not exist anymore. I don’t think any of our alliance partners have the slightest doubt about it.”

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His remarks came amid concerns expressed by some MVA leaders over the ideological position of the NCP SP and whether it would eventually align with the BJP-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and national president of NCP, died in a tragic air crash on January 28. Following his death, NCP (SCP) claimed that merger talks between the two groups were at an advanced stage and a formal announcement was expected on 12 February. However, the party did not clarify whether a united NCP would align itself with NDA’s regional alliance Mahayuti or INDIA Bloc’s regional alliance MVA. This uncertainty caused uneasiness among its allies.

Mr. Patil spoke on the sidelines of discussions on Rajya Sabha nomination from Maharashtra. When asked if the alliance partners sought assurances on NCP’s (SCP) commitment to the INDIA Bloc, he said no such assurance was necessary.

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The party maintained that the MVA was formed on the initiative of Sharad Pawar and that it remained the binding force that brought the Congress and Shiv Sena together despite their years of political differences.

NCP (SCP) alleged that Ajit Pawar was keen on reunification and initiated informal discussions without consulting other party leaders. However, the current NCP leadership denied that any merger talks were ongoing.