Tue Apr 22 10:54:03 UTC 2025: ## Sharad Pawar Downplays Speculation of NCP Reunion Amidst Meetings with Nephew
**Baramati, Maharashtra, April 22, 2025** – Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday dismissed speculation of a political reconciliation with his estranged nephew, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, following a series of recent meetings. While acknowledging three meetings in the past fortnight, Pawar emphasized that discussions focused on pressing state issues, such as water scarcity and the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture and the sugar industry.
“There is nothing wrong in talking to representatives of the state government on issues concerning the common people,” Pawar stated, highlighting a joint appearance Monday discussing AI’s role in sugar production. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and various stakeholders to boost sugarcane production.
The meetings have fueled speculation of a potential reunification of the fractured NCP, particularly after a joint public appearance on Monday. However, Pawar declined to comment on the matter, citing it as a family affair. Similarly, he declined to comment on reported reconciliation talks between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray.
The rift within the NCP deepened last July when Ajit Pawar led a significant faction to join the ruling Mahayuti government. This resulted in a substantial loss of seats for Sharad Pawar’s faction in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Despite the ongoing political tensions, Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar and grandnephew Yugendra Pawar were present at a meeting with Sharad Pawar, with Yugendra publicly expressing continued respect for his uncle and aunt.
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