Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 14: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar on Tuesday night firmly dismissed speculation about any merger discussions with the faction led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar. He told party legislators at a meeting held at his official residence, Devgiri, that no such dialogue had taken place.

“There should be no confusion among NCP leaders. No senior leader from our side or from the NCP(SP) has held any conversation regarding a merger,” a legislator present at the meeting quoted Ajit Pawar as saying. He reportedly emphasized the importance of addressing the issue directly with party members to ensure clarity and prevent misinformation.

Ajit Pawar’s clarification comes in response to ongoing speculation following comments made by Sharad Pawar in an interview last week. In the interview, the NCP(SP) supremo acknowledged internal divisions within his party regarding a possible reunion with Ajit Pawar’s faction. He said, “There are two views in the party. One is that we reunite with the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. The second is that we don’t go directly or indirectly with the BJP. Let us join the INDIA group and reorganise the alliance.”

NCP(SP) executive president Supriya Sule had also responded to the remarks, stating that any decision on reunification would be taken collectively after discussions with party leaders and office bearers.

In recent days, both Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have shared the stage twice — in Satara and Mumbai — but at non-political events, further fueling speculation about their political relationship.

Despite these public appearances, Ajit Pawar’s statements at Tuesday’s meeting appear intended to firmly quash rumours of a potential political reconciliation — at least for now.