No NCP merger talks during meeting with Sunetra Pawar, focused on drought: Minister Bharne

Maharashtra Minister Dattatray Bharne. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Amid renewed buzz about a merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions, Maharashtra Minister Dattatray Bharne on Friday (November 13, 2026) said no political discussions took place during a meeting at Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s residence in Pune, asserting that all party MLAs stand firmly behind her leadership.

Also Read: Praful Patel calls on Sharad Pawar at hospital; meet triggers speculation in Maharashtra

Speaking to reporters after the meeting at the NCP chief's 'Jijai' residence, which was also attended by her son Parth Pawar and several party MLAs, Mr. Bharne maintained that the legislators had met solely to discuss drought-related issues in their respective constituencies.

"There was no party meeting or any political discussion on the merger. The party has not called any such meeting. Some of us happened to be here and met Sunetra Pawar. The discussion was mainly about the drought situation and the work that needs to be undertaken in our respective constituencies," he said.

Ajit Pawar, the then Deputy Chief Minister, died in a plane crash in January this year, following which his wife, Sunetra Pawar, became the NCP head and deputy CM. There has been speculation about a merger of the two factions since his death.

The merger buzz gained strength last week after several leaders of the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP, including Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar.

Sunetra Pawar further fuelled speculation during a press conference in Baramati two days ago when she said that things would become clear at the appropriate time.

Mr. Bharne said a meeting of the party's MLAs was held in Mumbai around 8-10 days ago, during which all legislators agreed to abide by the decisions taken by Sunetra Pawar.

"All our MLAs have accepted that whatever decision Sunetra Pawar takes will be acceptable to them. She is our party leader and all our MLAs will stand by her decision. There is no resentment," he said.

NCP MLA Shankar Mandekar also denied that any meeting had been convened to discuss the merger, and said he had visited Sunetra Pawar on the occasion of Diwali, as party legislators had the practice of meeting Ajit Pawar during the festival.

"Every year, we used to visit Baramati to meet Ajit Dada during Diwali Padwa. After his demise, we could not celebrate the festival or meet Sunetra Pawar. When I learnt that she was in Pune, I came to meet her and discuss some constituency-related issues," Mr. Mandekar said.

MLAs Mauli Katke and Chetan Tupe were also present, he said, dismissing speculations of some legislators switching sides.

Speaking about the drought situation in the State, Mr. Bharne said that the government was focusing on drinking water, irrigation and fodder requirements.

He said funds from the State government, the Centre and the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) needed to be utilised for essential works.

The government had prioritised water conservation measures, including farm ponds and repairs to percolation tanks and check dams, while other works such as concrete roads might have to be deferred due to financial constraints arising from the drought, he said.

"The State has submitted its final report to the Centre after completing the panchnama process. We expect substantial assistance from the Central government this year. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured us that Maharashtra's farmers will receive the maximum possible help during this difficult period," he said.

Mr. Bharne expressed confidence that the Centre would provide relief from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), adding that the State government had increased compensation rates for crop damage.

Published - November 13, 2026 03:34 pm IST