Sat Jan 31 08:10:03 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Maharashtra Political Turmoil Deepens as NCP Factions Clash Over Merger Claims and Sunetra Pawar’s Impending Deputy CM Role
The Story:
The political landscape of Maharashtra is witnessing heightened tensions as factions within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) publicly contradict each other regarding a potential merger. On January 31, 2026, NCP SP leader Sharad Pawar claimed that Ajit Pawar had expressed a desire for the two NCP factions to reunite. This statement was quickly countered by Sunil Tatkare, president of the other NCP faction, who refuted media reports of any merger discussions. Meanwhile, Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, is poised to be sworn in as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, further complicating the situation. A video released by Sharad Pawar’s faction allegedly shows Ajit Pawar in a meeting, though Tatkare dismisses it as merely a discussion for local body elections.
Key Points:
* January 31, 2026: NCP President Sunil Tatkare denied merger talks between the two NCP factions.
* Sharad Pawar stated on January 31, 2026, that Ajit Pawar wanted the two NCP factions to reunite.
* A video released by Sharad Pawar’s faction purports to show Ajit Pawar in a meeting, allegedly regarding reunification.
* Sunetra Pawar is set to be sworn in as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on January 31, 2026.
* Ajit Pawar’s death is cited as a cause of grief and a reason to carry his ashes through each district.
Key Takeaways:
* Significant divisions remain within the NCP, demonstrated by conflicting statements from senior leaders regarding potential reunification.
* The upcoming swearing-in of Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister adds another layer of complexity to the already fractured political environment in Maharashtra.
* The use of a video purportedly showing Ajit Pawar indicates a strategic attempt by Sharad Pawar’s faction to leverage the late leader’s memory to influence the ongoing political narrative.
* The timing of the events indicates an attempt to consolidate power.
First Piper 