No Merger With Congress: Sharad Pawar's NCP Rejects Nana Patole Claim, Says 'No Proposal Discussed'.

Maharashtra Politics: Fresh Merger Buzz as Congress Leader Says Sharad Pawar Proposed NCP-Congress Unification.

Mumbai: A fresh political row has erupted in Maharashtra after senior Congress leader Nana Patole claimed that NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar had sent a proposal to merge his party with the Congress. 

What Happened:

Patole's Claim: The former Maharashtra Congress president said Pawar had sent a merger proposal to Congress leadership, but the process did not move forward.

NCP(SP) Denial: Sharad Pawar-led NCP Maharashtra state president Shashikant Shinde rejected the claim, stating “There has never been any merger proposal from the Congress”and “There was no discussion about the merger even at the meeting held at Sharad Pawar's 'Silver Oak' residence”

Context: Patole's remarks came amid major political shifts where 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joined the Shinde-led Sena under “Operation Tiger”. Sharad Pawar himself recently dismissed defection fears, saying “Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have split; none of our MPs will split” .

Backdrop: Renewed Merger Speculation.

Sanjay Raut’s Push: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut recently urged leaders like Sharad Pawar, KCR, and Mamata Banerjee to “come together” and strengthen Congress to fight the BJP. He asked Pawar to take initiative.

NCP(SP) Clarification: After internal meetings in May 2026, state chief Shashikant Shinde declared “Let me make it clear first that the issue of merger is over. There will be no further discussion regarding a merger”

Historical Context: AICC had earlier told Pawar in 2014 that Prithviraj Chavan could be removed as CM if NCP merged with Congress and Pawar took state command. NCP had resisted then. 

Current Dynamics:

Congress High Command: Sources say Delhi has summoned Harshvardhan Sapkal and Nana Patole to discuss a probable NCP(SP)-Congress merger. Senior state leaders’ views are being sought.

NCP Factions: Talks of reunifying Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions have also been ongoing, though Jayant Patil recently said “The possibility of a merger between the two NCPs is over”after Ajit Pawar’s death. 

What Next: Sharad Pawar has not reacted to Patole’s claim yet. NCP(SP) says it will contest Maharashtra as a separate entity under Pawar’s leadership.