The death of Ajit Pawar has created uncertainty within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). On Friday (January 30, 2026), senior NCP leaders met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai to discuss the political situation following the tragic incident.
The meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha, in south Mumbai. It lasted for nearly one and a half hours. Senior leaders present included Chhagan Bhujbal, NCP national working president Praful Patel, State president Sunil Tatkare, and former minister Dhananjay Munde, sources said.
According to party insiders, the leaders discussed the future course of the NCP after Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise. They also reviewed the impact of his death on the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the NCP.
However, neither side issued an official statement after the meeting. As a result, the details of the discussions remain unclear.
Meanwhile, political speculation has intensified. NCP Minister Narhari Zirwal had publicly stated on Thursday (January 29, 2026) that Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, should take over as Deputy Chief Minister. Sunetra Pawar currently serves as a Rajya Sabha member. The Chief Minister’s Office has not commented on this suggestion so far.
A close associate of Ajit Pawar revealed that he strongly supported the merger of the two NCP factions. According to the associate, discussions on reunification had reached an advanced stage and could have concluded soon.
Ajit Pawar, aged 66, died in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday (January 28, 2026). The chartered aircraft crashed in Baramati, Pune district, killing Pawar and four others. Leaders and supporters cremated him with full state honours on Thursday.
Ajit Pawar’s death marks a turning point for the NCP and could significantly shape Maharashtra’s political landscape in the coming days.
