Sanjay Raut Addresses Rumors of NCP Factions Merger in Nagpur

NAGPUR — Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday, July 18, 2026, addressed ongoing speculation regarding a potential merger of the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions during a visit to Nagpur, stating that he trusts the public denials issued by senior NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Raut noted that rumors concerning the reunification of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP are not new, having surfaced repeatedly over the past two years.

The renewed political speculation comes in the wake of recent meetings involving leaders from both of the split NCP factions and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. These interactions had sparked fresh questions about a possible political realignment in the state.

Despite the high-profile meetings involving the split factions and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raut maintained that the speculation has been a constant feature of the state's political landscape for nearly two years. He emphasized his reliance on the official public statements from the senior leadership of the Sharad Pawar-led group, who have consistently denied any such merger plans.

The division of the Nationalist Congress Party resulted in two distinct factions: the group led by Sharad Pawar and the faction led by Ajit Pawar. The ongoing discussions and meetings continue to highlight the potential for realignment within the split factions, even as official denials persist.