The long-simmering family and political rift within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) may be heading toward a quiet thaw. In a striking departure from months of public distance, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has openly suggested the possibility of a reunion with his estranged uncle, party patriarch Sharad Pawar. His recent remarks—“I believe in addition, not subtraction”—have sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political landscape, especially as both factions prepare for high-stakes civic elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
While Ajit stopped short of announcing formal merger talks, his tone was unmistakably conciliatory. He confirmed that the “bitterness” that followed his dramatic July 2023 defection to the BJP-Shiv Sena-led government has significantly subsided. This softening comes at a critical juncture, with the BJP eyeing dominance in urban local bodies—and a united NCP posing a formidable challenge.
Table of Contents
- The NCP Split: A Brief Recap
- Ajit Pawar’s Conciliatory Statements Explained
- Denial of BJP ‘Match-Fixing’ Allegations
- Why Now? The Timing of This Reconciliation
- Impact on Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Civic Polls
- What Has Sharad Pawar Said?
- Broader Implications for Maharashtra Politics
- Conclusion: From Division to Strategic Unity?
- Sources
The NCP Split: A Brief Recap
In July 2023, Ajit Pawar stunned the political world by leading a faction of NCP MLAs to join the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena coalition, effectively splitting the party founded by his uncle. While Sharad Pawar retained control of the NCP name and symbol (as later confirmed by the Election Commission), Ajit’s group became a key pillar of the Eknath Shinde-led government . The move was widely seen as a betrayal, plunging the Pawar family into a bitter public feud that extended beyond politics into personal estrangement.
Ajit Pawar’s Conciliatory Statements Explained
Fast forward to early 2026, and the narrative is shifting. Speaking to reporters ahead of the civic polls, Ajit Pawar stated, “There is no bitterness now,” adding that he “believes in addition, not subtraction” in politics . This philosophical framing is significant—it positions potential reunification not as a retreat, but as a strategic expansion of influence.
Crucially, while he ruled out “formal merger talks” for now, his emphasis on reduced animosity and shared electoral goals in Pune suggests backchannel coordination is already underway. For voters, this signals that the two NCP factions may present a de facto united front against the BJP, even if organizational merger remains distant.
Denial of BJP ‘Match-Fixing’ Allegations
Ajit also firmly dismissed rumors—fueled by opposition parties—that his 2023 switch was part of a pre-planned “match-fixing” arrangement with the BJP. “It was a decision taken at that moment for the stability of the state,” he asserted . This denial is likely aimed at rehabilitating his image among traditional NCP supporters who view him as having been co-opted by the saffron party.
Why Now? The Timing of This Reconciliation
Several factors explain this sudden olive branch:
- Civic Poll Stakes: Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are NCP strongholds. A divided vote could hand victory to the BJP.
- 2029 Assembly Elections: Both Pawars know that long-term survival requires consolidating anti-BJP votes.
- Public Sentiment: Voters in Maharashtra increasingly favor stable, unified leadership over factional infighting.
Impact on Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Civic Polls
The most immediate consequence is a tighter contest in these key urban centers. If Ajit’s faction refrains from fielding candidates against Sharad’s NCP—or coordinates seat-sharing informally—it could dramatically reduce vote fragmentation. This would make the race a direct NCP vs. BJP battle, significantly raising the stakes for the ruling party .
What Has Sharad Pawar Said?
Sharad Pawar, ever the seasoned strategist, has not yet responded publicly to Ajit’s overtures. However, sources close to him suggest he is open to “healing the family wound” if it serves the party’s larger interests . His silence may be tactical—allowing Ajit to take the first step while preserving his own moral high ground as the aggrieved founder.
Broader Implications for Maharashtra Politics
A potential Ajit Pawar NCP reunion would reshape Maharashtra’s power matrix. It could:
- Weaken the BJP’s hold on urban Maharashtra.
- Revive the NCP as a credible third force alongside Congress and Shiv Sena.
- Complicate alliance math for the 2029 state elections.
As analyzed by experts at the Observer Research Foundation, regional parties in India are increasingly prioritizing electoral pragmatism over ideological purity—a trend this reconciliation exemplifies .
Conclusion: From Division to Strategic Unity?
While a full organizational merger of the NCP may still be months or years away, the ice has clearly begun to melt. Ajit Pawar’s latest comments mark a pivotal moment—not just for his family, but for Maharashtra’s political future. By embracing “addition over subtraction,” he’s signaling that survival in today’s hyper-competitive landscape demands unity, even among former rivals. Whether this leads to a formal reunion or a tactical understanding, one thing is clear: the era of open hostility between the two Pawars appears to be ending.
Sources
[1] Times of India: Ajit Pawar rules out merger talks with Sharad Pawar, denies BJP ‘match-fixing’. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/ahead-of-civic-polls-ajit-pawar-rules-out-merger-talks-with-sharad-pawar-denies-bjp-match-fixing/articleshow/126515956.cms
[2] Web Search Results on NCP split, Maharashtra civic polls 2026, and Pawar family dynamics.