Mumbai: The two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are expected to formally announce a reunion in the second week of February, shortly after the conclusion of local body elections, senior party sources told NDTV.
Leaders from both factions — one led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar and the other by the late Ajit Pawar — are reportedly planning a meeting next week to finalise the terms of the merger and decide the leadership structure of the reunited party.
According to sources, the groundwork for unifying the factions had already been laid by Ajit Pawar before his untimely death in a plane crash on January 28. The two leaders held several discussions in December and January, with plans to make the announcement following local polls. Four frontrunners have emerged as likely candidates to lead the merged NCP, the sources, as cited in an NDTV report, added:
Sharad Pawar, founder of the NCP and long-time party patriarch.
Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member and wife of Ajit Pawar.
Supriya Sule, a senior NCP leader and daughter of Sharad Pawar.
Praful Patel, a veteran party figure.
Within the party, there is significant support for Sunetra Pawar to be appointed both party president and leader of the legislative party, according to the sources. However, political and technical considerations could lead to other leadership outcomes, with Praful Patel seen as a potential alternative if Sunetra Pawar’s elevation proves difficult.
The NCP was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 after his split from the Indian National Congress. Ajit Pawar later broke away in July 2023, leading his own faction to join the ruling Mahayuti alliance government in Maharashtra. Over time, several senior leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse-Patil aligned with Ajit Pawar’s camp.
Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, two pilots and a flight attendant were killed when a chartered aircraft crashed near Baramati airport in Pune district. Officials said the plane went down during a second landing attempt amid poor visibility.
