Senior leaders of NCP knew about the merger, says Jayant Patil

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) senior leader Jayant Patil on Saturday (January 31, 2026) claimed that senior leaders of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal knew about the merge of the two factions, saying the merger was finalised in mid-January and was scheduled to announced in mid-February.

Mr. Patil said that after meeting with Ajit Pawar on January 16, they went to meet Sharad Pawar on January 17. A meeting was held in Baramati.

According to Mr. Patil, the party decided the merger on January 16 and planned to announce the merger on February 8 after the Zilla Parishad elections scheduled on February 5. However, it was postponed to February 12 as Mr. Patil was suppose to attend a wedding in Delhi during that time.

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“Ajit Pawar informed Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal and other leaders of his plans of merger. Before the merger plan, several discussion were at my place. At least met 8 to 10 times and he expressed his desire of merger. He wanted to get both NCP together in presence of Sharad Pawar and put all the difference of last 2.5 years behind,” Mr. Patil claimed.

The statements of NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil and Sharad Pawar had has triggered fresh political debate following Ajit Pawar’s death on Wednesday (January 28). The statements also comes ahead of oath ceremony scheduled on Saturday (January 31) as Ajit Pawar’s spouse and Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar likely to appointed as Deputy Chief Minister.

Mr. Pawar also addressed a press meet in Baramati, highlighting the details of merger plan, saying he had no idea related to the decision on vacant post of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and appointment of his daughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, a video has also surfaced online, showing the January 17 meeting, where discussions on a possible merger of the two NCP factions at Govind Baug, Baramati, has been discussed.