Maharashtra's political landscape is in mourning following the untimely death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. News has emerged that Pawar was actively working towards merging the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) before his death. According to a close associate, Ajit Pawar was "hundred percent keen" on uniting the factions.
The NCP experienced a split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar and a number of MLAs defected to join the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. This led to a situation where Ajit Pawar was recognized as leader of the legitimate NCP by the Election Commission, who also allowed his faction to retain the 'clock' symbol, while Sharad Pawar's group became known as NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCPSP). In the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, Ajit Pawar's NCP secured 41 seats, while the NCPSP won 10.
According to sources, Ajit Pawar had expressed his desire to merge the NCP factions, even sharing his intentions with journalists during recent civic elections. The collaboration between the factions during these elections was seen as a move toward unification, with positive discussions involving senior leaders hinting that Sharad Pawar might have endorsed the effort.
The death of Ajit Pawar has created a political vacuum in Maharashtra, raising questions about the future leadership of the NCP and its role in the state's coalition government. Political analysts suggest that Ajit Pawar's demise has disrupted efforts toward reunification. Meetings between the leaders in December and coordination during municipal elections pointed towards a potential merger.
The situation has sparked speculation about a possible NCP merger and is forcing re-evaluations of leadership within the party. Ajit Pawar's absence also has implications for the stability of the Mahayuti government, prompting questions about who will succeed him as deputy chief minister. Some NCP leaders are reportedly advocating for Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, to take his place in the Maharashtra cabinet.
The potential merger had national implications, especially after the BJP's setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. A united NCP, with its eight MPs, could have strengthened the ruling alliance. Ajit Pawar's organizational control in the state, combined with Sharad Pawar's national stature, was seen as a stabilizing force.
Following Ajit Pawar's death, the NCP faces critical decisions about its future. A key question is whether a united NCP would remain in the Mahayuti alliance or join the opposition. If Supriya Sule, working president of NCP(SP), decides to join the opposition, some NCP MLAs might oppose the move and potentially switch to Shiv Sena or the BJP. Conversely, if the party chooses to stay aligned with the BJP and Shiv Sena, those in Sharad Pawar's camp may resist compromising on their ideology.
Ajit Pawar's political career was marked by periods of rebellion and power struggles, particularly with his uncle Sharad Pawar, whom he felt prioritized his daughter Supriya Sule. Despite these challenges, he was a significant political figure with considerable influence in key regions such as Baramati, Pune, and Pimpri Chinchwad. His unexpected death leaves a substantial void in Maharashtra politics, with the future of the NCP and its potential reunification now uncertain.
