Secret NCP Reunion Plan Existed Before Crisis, Jayant Patil Drops Timeline Bomb

Mumbai: A new political storm has erupted in Maharashtra after NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Jayant Patil claimed that plans to reunite the two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party were quietly settled weeks before recent dramatic developments.

According to Patil, top leaders from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP were not only aware of the proposed merger but had already agreed to a clear roadmap. He alleged that the strategy was finalised by mid-January and was meant to be revealed after local body elections.

January 16 Decision, February Announcement Planned

Jayant Patil revealed that a key discussion took place on January 16, during which leaders decided the merger should be made public only after the Zilla Parishad elections on February 8. The final date was later adjusted due to scheduling reasons.

He said Ajit Pawar had assured him that the announcement date was flexible and would be fixed mutually. Eventually, February 12 was selected as the intended day for making the reunion official.

Senior Ajit Pawar Camp Leaders Were Informed

Patil further claimed that Ajit Pawar personally briefed influential leaders from his faction well in advance. He named Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, and others as leaders who were already aware of the merger blueprint.

The revelation has sparked intense political debate, especially because it comes at a time when the party is navigating uncertainty after Ajit Pawar’s sudden death.

Sharad Pawar Holds Crucial Meeting in Baramati

The comments surfaced on a high-voltage political day when senior leaders from NCP (SP) gathered at Sharad Pawar’s Govind Baug residence in Baramati. The meeting reportedly included Supriya Sule, Rohit Pawar, Yugendra Pawar, and other key figures. While no official details were shared, the closed-door discussion is being seen as vital for the party’s future direction.

Sharad Pawar Distances Himself from Deputy CM Talks

Earlier in the day, Sharad Pawar addressed the media and clearly stated that he has no role in deciding who will fill the vacant Deputy Chief Minister post in Maharashtra. On speculation surrounding Sunetra Pawar, he said the decision rests entirely with her party and that his information comes only from media reports.

He also avoided commenting on a proposed NCP meeting in Mumbai, calling it an internal issue, and firmly rejected rumors of joining the NDA, dismissing them as baseless speculation.