Fri Jan 24 17:58:32 UTC 2025: ## Pawar Uncles Downplay Meeting Amidst NCP Rift
**Kolhapur, Maharashtra –** Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar and his estranged nephew, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, met in Pune on Friday, sparking speculation of a potential reconciliation. However, both leaders insisted the meeting focused solely on a sugar industry project, denying any discussion regarding their respective factions of the NCP.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) annual general body meeting, where both Pawars were present. While initially seated next to each other, Ajit Pawar moved his seat, placing Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil between himself and his uncle. Both Pawars attributed the seating change to Patil’s need to speak with Sharad Pawar during the event.
This meeting marks the first time Ajit Pawar has attended a VSI event since his July 2023 split from the NCP and his subsequent joining of the Shiv Sena-BJP government. Despite the carefully distanced seating, Ajit Pawar and NCP (SP) state unit president Jayant Patil were also observed engaging in conversation.
Despite the denials, the meeting fueled further speculation about the possibility of a reunification of the warring NCP factions. However, Sharad Pawar firmly stated that no party-related matters were discussed. The focus, he emphasized, remained solely on the sugar industry project.
First Piper 