Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal said, “This is something our central leadership will look into. If asked, I will convey my opinion to the central leadership, as I have done in the past.” File
| Photo Credit: ANI
There is no formal proposal yet for the merger of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) with the Congress, senior NCP (SP) leaders told The Hindu on Friday (June 12, 2026).
“Nobody has spoken about it yet with Sharad Pawar saheb or with [Baramati MP] Supriya Sule,” said a senior party leader.
While the Congress’s Maharashtra unit has refused comment on speculations about the merger, sources said a proposal to this effect has been in the pipeline for some time.
‘Party brass to take call’
When asked, Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal said, “This is something our central leadership will look into. If asked, I will convey my opinion to the central leadership, as I have done in the past.”
NCP (SP) State president Shashikant Shinde dismissed the speculation as a “mere rumour”. He said the party had recently celebrated its foundation day and had decided to intensify its struggle against the Bharatiya Janata Party.
‘Sinking ship’
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to the merger buzz by terming the Congress a “sinking ship”. “The Congress is a sinking ship. Nobody will step onto it. In politics, one doesn’t answer hypothetical questions. But let me tell you, if it happens, it will only strengthen us,” he said.
When reached for comment over Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s suggestion over the merger of the NCP (SP) and the Trinamool Congress with the grand old party, the Baramati MP termed it Mr. Raut’s personal opinion.
Later, while speaking to reporters, she said that the Shiv Sena (UBT) was like an “elder brother”, and her party would take note of his suggestion.
‘Congress not keen’
The State Congress leadership is said not to be in favour of the merger owing to the differences between the two parties.
“It will end up becoming a liability. We have an anti-Adani stance. For them, Adani is like a family member. There are internal issues within their party, and everyone is worried about the future of the NCP (SP),” said a senior Congress leader.
The leader added, “There are concerns about who the leader will be after Sharad Pawar. Different things are being speculated about as there is unrest within their party. There is fear that leaders and cadres might move to Sunetra Pawar or to the BJP.”
Published – June 13, 2026 03:35 am IST
