NEW DELHI: Speculations are rife over a possible merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule hinted at a reunion in the future.This comes as both Ajit Pawar’s NCP and NCP(Sharad Pawar) decided to join hands to contest the upcoming local body elections in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune.While speaking to news agency IANS, Sule was asked whether a merger is possible between the two factions. Sule stressed that the alliance between the NCP and NCP(SP) has been formed for the upcoming local body elections in Pune. She, however, said that no decision has yet been taken on a permanent merger between the two parties.“Our alliance is formed for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections. We will see about it in the future,” Sule said.Ajit Pawar also made a similar statement, claiming that the upcoming elections are the primary focus of both parties.“We have not thought about this yet. Our primary focus is on the upcoming elections. Only after the elections will we see,” he said.Earlier Ajit Pawar had said that party workers from both sides were in favour of a union and that friction within the Pawar family had been resolved.Also read | ‘Will let you know if signal is green’: Strong buzz around merger of 2 NCPs after Ajit Pawar’s interviewOn Saturday, Ajit and his cousin Sule also shared the stage for a “common political programme” to release a combined NCP manifesto for the January 15 Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation polls.Cracks within Mahayuti alliance?Meanwhile, cracks appeared within the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis took a swipe at Ajit Pawar for criticising the BJP during the poll campaign.Speaking during an interaction with actor Girija Oak, Fadnavis said the BJP and the NCP had decided well in advance that they would not contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections as allies, since both were strong parties in the region.“Ajit dada only speaks, but my work speaks. We had already decided that even if we contest against each other, it would be a friendly contest and that we would refrain from criticising each other or each other’s parties. I have followed that rule till now, but his restraint is somewhat shaken,” Fadnavis said.However, Ajit Pawar will not “speak” after January 15, when votes will be cast, Fadnavis said, exuding confidence in the BJP’s performance.Ajit Pawar-led NCP and NCP (Sharad Pawar) have decided to join hands to contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune local body elections.This comes two years after Ajit Pawar, along with a group of senior leaders, parted ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined hands with the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. He had raised objections to Sharad Pawar continuing to lead the party despite his old age.Ajit was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister under the new alliance. He favoured aligning with the ruling coalition, while Sharad Pawar’s faction insisted on remaining with the opposition.The Election Commission later recognised Ajit’s faction as the legitimate NCP, retaining the ‘clock’ symbol. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar’s faction (NCP-SP) adopted the ‘tutari’ (curved trumpet) symbol.Both factions contested elections separately. After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in which his faction faced setbacks, Ajit Pawar acknowledged that turning his back on his family had been a “mistake”.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHinduism vs Hindutva: TMC MP Mahua Moitra’s ‘Love Jihad’ Remark Ignites Fierce Political Debate‘Not 1, Not 1,000’: Jem Chief Masood Azhar Returns With Audio Threat As India Tightens Terror NooseSuspected Pakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC, IB Near Samba, Rajouri & Poonch Districts In J&K‘Attack On My Life’: Suvendu Adhikari Targets Mamata Banerjee, Levels Serious AllegationUkrainian Envoy Hails PM Modi As Global Leader, Praises Ukraine Peace EffortsChirag Paswan Hits Out At Tejashwi Yadav Over ‘People Lost In Democracy’ commentIndia’s Reform Express Accelerates Growth and Investment, Says PM ModiAmit Shah Confident BJP Will Form Government In Kerala In 2026, Vote Share ClimbingOwaisi Blames Congress, Hits Out at UAPA After SC Denies Bail To Umar Khalid‘Some Historians, Politicians Tried To Whitewash History Of Invaders’: PM Modi Hits Out In Somnath123Photostories10 most iconic wetlands from around the worldSunny Deol’s critically acclaimed run from ‘Chup’, ‘Gadar 2’, to ‘Poster Boys’10 steamed and nutritious breakfast dishes of IndiaBaby girl names inspired by Lord Saraswati6 natural ways to keep your home fresh and fragrantPriyanka Chopra Jonas to Selena Gomez: Golden Globes 2026 red carpet’s most unapologetic fashion moments8 modern baby boy names taken from old Sanskrit words, with a fresh twistSobhita Dhulipala’s most graceful saree looks – PicsHow to make Instant Rava Appe for breakfastCute parenting moments of Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan123Hot PicksISRO PSLV-C62 missionUS Supreme CourtGold rate todayBengaluru newsCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingStephen Curry BrotherLebron JamesMatthew and Brady Tkachuks Combined Net WorthVanessa BryantBengaluru Girl RapeConnor McDavidISRO LaunchGeorge Valera Net WorthNandani SharmaPierce Johnson
NEW DELHI: Speculations are rife over a possible merger between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule hinted at a reunion in the future.This comes as both Ajit Pawar’s NCP and NCP(Sharad Pawar) decided to join hands to contest the upcoming local body elections in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune.While speaking to news agency IANS, Sule was asked whether a merger is possible between the two factions. Sule stressed that the alliance between the NCP and NCP(SP) has been formed for the upcoming local body elections in Pune. She, however, said that no decision has yet been taken on a permanent merger between the two parties.“Our alliance is formed for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections. We will see about it in the future,” Sule said.Ajit Pawar also made a similar statement, claiming that the upcoming elections are the primary focus of both parties.“We have not thought about this yet. Our primary focus is on the upcoming elections. Only after the elections will we see,” he said.Earlier Ajit Pawar had said that party workers from both sides were in favour of a union and that friction within the Pawar family had been resolved.Also read | ‘Will let you know if signal is green’: Strong buzz around merger of 2 NCPs after Ajit Pawar’s interviewOn Saturday, Ajit and his cousin Sule also shared the stage for a “common political programme” to release a combined NCP manifesto for the January 15 Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation polls.Cracks within Mahayuti alliance?Meanwhile, cracks appeared within the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis took a swipe at Ajit Pawar for criticising the BJP during the poll campaign.Speaking during an interaction with actor Girija Oak, Fadnavis said the BJP and the NCP had decided well in advance that they would not contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections as allies, since both were strong parties in the region.“Ajit dada only speaks, but my work speaks. We had already decided that even if we contest against each other, it would be a friendly contest and that we would refrain from criticising each other or each other’s parties. I have followed that rule till now, but his restraint is somewhat shaken,” Fadnavis said.However, Ajit Pawar will not “speak” after January 15, when votes will be cast, Fadnavis said, exuding confidence in the BJP’s performance.Ajit Pawar-led NCP and NCP (Sharad Pawar) have decided to join hands to contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune local body elections.This comes two years after Ajit Pawar, along with a group of senior leaders, parted ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined hands with the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. He had raised objections to Sharad Pawar continuing to lead the party despite his old age.Ajit was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister under the new alliance. He favoured aligning with the ruling coalition, while Sharad Pawar’s faction insisted on remaining with the opposition.The Election Commission later recognised Ajit’s faction as the legitimate NCP, retaining the ‘clock’ symbol. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar’s faction (NCP-SP) adopted the ‘tutari’ (curved trumpet) symbol.Both factions contested elections separately. After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in which his faction faced setbacks, Ajit Pawar acknowledged that turning his back on his family had been a “mistake”.
