Sharad Pawar puts a stop to merger speculation, says he won’t join anyone
Sharad Pawar has officially dismissed rumors of a merger between his party, NCP-SP, and the rival NCP faction. He emphasized that his party will remain independent and focus on internal strengthening rather than joining the ruling NDA.
Why it matters
This clarification stabilizes the political landscape in Maharashtra and defines the boundaries of the opposition alliance ahead of future electoral cycles.
Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday (September 28, 2026) put an end to speculation over the possibility of a merger between the NCP and NCP(SP). His party would not join anyone, but others were welcome to join his party, Mr. Sharad Pawar said, adding that he would continue working to strengthen the party. This has put paid to speculation over whether the party would join the NCP and support the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Mr. Pawar’s party colleagues welcomed his statement.
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