BJP Pushes for NCP Reunion Ahead of Key Parliament Session, But Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar Oppose Merger
New Delhi/Mumbai, July 18: Speculation over a possible reunion of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) has intensified, with sources indicating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively encouraging the merger to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
According to people familiar with the discussions, the BJP believes that bringing the two NCP factions together would help the NDA secure additional political support for key legislation, including the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill related to women’s reservation and the delimitation exercise.
However, despite growing political discussions, the proposed merger has reportedly met resistance from within the NCP leadership. Sources close to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Sunetra Pawar said that both she and her son, Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar, are firmly opposed to the move.
A close aide to Sunetra Pawar claimed the mother-son duo fears that a merger would allow NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter, MP Supriya Sule, to regain control of the party’s organisation and leadership.
Even as some senior NCP leaders are said to be working to build support among party MLAs for the merger, Sunetra Pawar’s camp is reportedly determined to retain its hold over the party.
The political buzz intensified after a series of high-profile meetings involving leaders from both factions and the BJP. On Thursday evening, Parth Pawar met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek details about recent discussions involving senior NCP leaders. Sources said Fadnavis declined to reveal the details, stating that he would discuss the matter directly with Sunetra Pawar.
Earlier in the week, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil met Fadnavis at his official residence, where senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare were also present. Jayant Patil and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad also met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, further fuelling speculation over possible political realignment.
According to insiders, if the merger eventually takes place, Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar are expected to insist that she continues as both Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and the national president of the merged NCP.
Sources also claimed that the BJP leadership has been holding back-channel talks with leaders from both NCP factions in an effort to bridge differences. The party reportedly sees a united NCP as a crucial ally in Parliament, where the NDA is seeking additional numbers to pass constitutional amendments requiring a two-thirds majority.
To facilitate the merger, the BJP is also believed to have offered one Union Cabinet berth to each faction as part of the negotiations.
The urgency surrounding these talks has reportedly increased with the Monsoon Session beginning on July 20. The Centre is expected to once again introduce the Constitutional Amendment Bill after it failed to secure the required support during the previous session.
Although the NDA remains the largest alliance in Parliament, it still falls short of the two-thirds majority required to pass constitutional amendments. Political observers believe support from the NCP (SP), or even abstentions from opposition parties, could significantly improve the government’s chances.
Earlier this week, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said her party would consider supporting the proposed legislation if it guaranteed an equal 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states. However, she clarified that the party had not yet taken an official stand on the Bill.
Within the NCP, internal tensions have reportedly deepened following the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a helicopter crash earlier this year. Senior leaders claim disagreements over leadership and organisational control have intensified since then.
According to party insiders, Parth Pawar’s efforts to reorganise the party with a new team of close associates have caused unease among several MLAs, many of whom believe experienced leaders have been sidelined. Some legislators are reportedly backing the merger if it leads to greater political stability under Sharad Pawar’s leadership.
Despite these developments, senior leaders insist that no immediate split or leadership change is expected within the NCP.
Meanwhile, NCP vice-president Udaykumar Aher has publicly defended Parth Pawar, accusing certain party leaders of attempting to undermine his political future. In a letter addressed to Sunetra Pawar, Aher argued that Parth deserved a place in the Union Cabinet to prove his leadership capabilities and counter criticism about his political experience.
Despite widespread speculation, both NCP factions have officially denied that merger talks are currently underway.
Speaking to reporters, Supriya Sule said that merger discussions had taken place while her brother Ajit Pawar was alive but were dropped after his death due to opposition from the other faction.
NCP Maharashtra president Sunil Tatkare also downplayed reports of ongoing negotiations but acknowledged that political situations can change rapidly.
“As of today, there are no merger talks. However, politics changes very quickly, especially when important parliamentary votes are approaching,” Tatkare said, leaving the door open for future developments.
While there has been no official confirmation from either side, political observers believe the coming days—particularly during the Monsoon Session—could prove decisive in determining whether the long-discussed NCP reunion finally becomes a reality.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
