Ajit Pawar Was Actively Working To Merge Both NCP Factions, Aide Claims

Last Updated:January 30, 2026, 07:09 IST

After the civic polls, both NCP factions had agreed to continue their alliance for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for next month, claimed Ajit Pawar's aide.

Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was actively working to reunite the two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and believed the merger would take place within days, according to a close associate. The claim was made on Thursday, a day after Pawar died in a tragic plane crash.

Kiran Gujar, who has known Ajit Pawar since before he entered politics in the mid-1980s, said Pawar had personally shared his plans with him just five days before the accident. Speaking to PTI, Gujar said the process of merging the two NCP factions was nearly complete.

“He was hundred per cent keen on merging both the factions. He had told me five days ago that the entire process was complete and the merger was imminent in the next few days," Gujar said.

He added that during the recent civic body elections, which the two factions contested together, Ajit Pawar had also spoken to select journalists about his intention to merge his party with the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). Pawar had reportedly said he wanted to take the step while his uncle, senior leader Sharad Pawar, was in good health.

The two NCP factions had fought the January 15 civic elections in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad as allies. After the polls, they agreed to continue their alliance for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for next month.

Gujar said Ajit Pawar had prepared a clear roadmap for the merger and the future direction of a united party. When asked whether discussions had taken place with Sharad Pawar, Gujar said talks were progressing positively.

“Positive talks were underway with Pawar saheb, Supriya Tai (Supriya Sule) and other leaders", he said, adding that there were strong signs Sharad Pawar would have supported the move.

Reflecting on Pawar’s death, Gujar said, “Many positive things were on the cards, but this tragedy struck and took Ajit `dada’ (elder brother, as he was popularly known) away from us. Now, after his death, it has become even more imperative that both factions come together and work for the betterment of Baramati and the state."

Gujar, who has been associated with the Pawar family for over four decades, recalled Ajit Pawar’s early political journey. He said Pawar was initially hesitant to enter politics and wanted to focus on farming and family life. However, circumstances changed when Sharad Pawar became chief minister.

“The development (of the area) will continue, but a leader like Ajit dada will not emerge again," Gujar said.

News india Ajit Pawar Was Actively Working To Merge Both NCP Factions, Aide Claims

Read More