Speaking to NDTV, Vijay Wadettiwar, a former Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra, confirmed that discussions were taking place with the Congress leadership regarding a merger. "The talks with the High Command are on for a merger," he said. He further stated that those who believe in the secular principles upheld by the Congress and Sharad Pawar are always welcome to join the party.
Sharad Pawar separated from the Congress in 1999 to establish the Nationalist Congress Party. In 2023, the party experienced a major split when his nephew, Ajit Pawar, led a faction of party legislators into the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. The move divided the Nationalist Congress Party into two separate factions, significantly altering the state's political landscape.
The possibility of a merger with the Congress has emerged at a time when several regional political leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and Uddhav Thackeray, have faced political setbacks after members of Parliament from their parties chose to function as separate groups, distancing themselves from their parent organisations.
According to sources, discussions between the senior leadership of the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party in New Delhi have reached the final stage and have progressed positively. Sources further stated that the Congress leadership has given its approval for legislators and Members of Parliament from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) who are willing to join the Congress.
Sources indicated that the 85-year-old Sharad Pawar and his party are currently witnessing two distinct schools of thought regarding their political future.
One section of the party is reportedly in favour of joining the National Democratic Alliance, arguing that the party's parliamentary strength could help secure its position as a constituent of the alliance. Leaders supporting this view are also believed to feel that remaining in the Opposition has made it increasingly difficult to secure development projects and address constituency-related issues at both the state and central government levels.
Sources also claimed that the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had supported remaining with the National Democratic Alliance if the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party were reunited, as he was already a part of the alliance. However, with the possibility of reunification reportedly diminishing following his death, supporters of this view believe there is no obstacle to joining the National Democratic Alliance independently.
A second faction within the party continues to deliberate over the organisation's future political course, even as discussions over a possible merger with the Congress gather momentum and move towards a decisive stage.
The ongoing discussions could mark a significant turning point in Maharashtra politics. If the proposed merger is finalised, it would represent a major political realignment involving one of the state's most influential regional parties and could reshape the balance of power ahead of future electoral contests.
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