A meeting between Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Parth Pawar and Praful Patel and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar in New Delhi on Wednesday has reignited speculation about a possible reconciliation between the two rival factions of the party.
The development comes just days after Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the political backdrop of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests. While none of the leaders commented on the purpose of Wednesday's meeting, its timing has intensified discussions over whether efforts to reunite the Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar camps have gathered fresh momentum.
No official statement was issued after the meeting, and the participants declined to reveal what was discussed. However, political observers see the interaction as significant, particularly because it follows reports that informal channels of communication between the two factions have remained active despite repeated public denials.
In recent weeks, speculation has persisted that leaders from both camps have continued exploring the possibility of ending the split that divided the NCP in 2023. Although talks appeared to have slowed earlier this year, sources have indicated that dialogue has resumed through a series of behind-the-scenes meetings involving leaders from both factions.
According to reports, the discussions have largely focused on the possibility of first reuniting the party before considering any broader political realignment. There has also been speculation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would prefer engaging with a unified NCP rather than negotiating separately with the Sharad Pawar-led faction.
Despite the renewed buzz, neither the Sharad Pawar camp nor the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has officially acknowledged that merger negotiations are underway or suggested that an agreement is close.
The latest meeting has nevertheless added to the growing political speculation that efforts to bridge the divide within the NCP may once again be gaining traction.