# NCP factions face BJP pressure for merger, talks intensify > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ncp-sp-merger-and-defection-denials > Updated: 2026-08-11T02:35:39.000Z. Sources: 42. Developments: 10. The BJP has continued to press the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) splinter groups – the Sharad Pawar-led faction and the Sunetra Pawar-Ajit Pawar faction – to reunite before any formal inclusion in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). On 13 June, working president Supriya Sule denied reports of a merger proposal between her NCP-SP and the Indian National Congress. Five days later, Sharad Pawar rejected rumors of MP defections. By 10 July, senior NCP leaders Ekhand Khadse and Supriya Sule rejected BJP alliance talks. A meeting on 15 July with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sparked speculation regarding Sharad Pawar joining the BJP-led alliance. On 17 July, the BJP tied potential cabinet berths for a united NCP to the NDA's need for a majority to pass a women's reservation amendment and the upcoming delimitation bill. Following a meeting between Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 July, and separate talks between Amit Shah and NCP leaders on 27 July, merger speculation persisted despite denials of any formal offers. On 7 August, a meeting between Sunetra Pawar and strategist Prashant Kishor led BJP Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to warn Mahayuti alliance partners against actions that could destabilize the coalition. NCP state president Sunil Tatkare dismissed the meeting as a courtesy call, denying Kishor had an advisory role. On 8 August, a delegation of eight NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MPs, led by Supriya Sule, met Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi. The delegation focused on regional development, including the Nashik–Pune high-speed railway, irrigation issues, and farmer concerns, while explicitly dismissing rumors of joining the NDA or supporting the Delimitation Bill as “strictly non-political.” On 11 August, Prime Minister Modi, Sharad Pawar, and Amit Shah attended a wedding reception for Revati Sule in Delhi. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-11: Narendra Modi and Sharad Pawar meet at wedding reception Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar were photographed together at a wedding reception in Delhi, amid political speculation regarding the party's stance on upcoming delimitation reforms. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/narendra-modi-and-sharad-pawar-meet-at-wedding-reception ### 2026-08-08: NCP (Sharad Pawar) MPs meet PM Modi to discuss Maharashtra issues Eight NCP (Sharad Pawar) MPs, led by Supriya Sule, met PM Narendra Modi to discuss Maharashtra's infrastructure, drought relief, and regional development, dismissing rumors of joining the NDA. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sharad-pawar-faction-mps-to-meet-pm-modi-in-new-delhi ### 2026-08-07: Sunetra Pawar's Meeting with Prashant Kishor Sparks BJP Warning on Mahayuti Alliance Unity Sunetra Pawar’s meeting with Prashant Kishor led NCP to deny any formal role for Kishor, while BJP warned the Mahayuti alliance to stay united. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sunetra-pawars-meeting-with-prashant-kishor-sparks-bjp-warning-on-mahayuti-alliance-unity ### 2026-07-27: Amit Shah Meets Supriya Sule and Sunil Tatkare, Sparking NCP Merger Talk Amit Shah met NCP leaders Supriya Sule and Sunil Tatkare in Delhi, fueling speculation of a NCP faction reunion and possible entry into the BJP‑led NDA. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amit-shah-meets-supriya-sule-and-sunil-tatkare-sparking-ncp-merger-talk ### 2026-07-22: Sharad Pawar meets PM Modi, stoking NDA realignment talks Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule met PM Modi in Parliament, submitting a farmers' memorandum and sparking fresh speculation about a NCP (SP) realignment with the BJP‑led NDA. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sharad-pawar-meets-prime-minister-narendra-modi-in-delhi-to-discuss-agriculture-and-neet-issues ### 2026-07-17: BJP Pushes for NCP Merger Before Expanding NDA in Maharashtra The BJP wants the two NCP factions to merge before joining the NDA, offering cabinet spots, while Sunetra Pawar, her son Parth, and Supriya Sule deny any merger proposal. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maharashtra-ncp-factions-urged-to-reunite-and-join-bjp-led-nda ### 2026-07-15: Maharashtra NCP factions weigh delimitation reform and potential BJP alliance Maharashtra NCP factions met with CM Fadnavis, prompting talk of a Sharad Pawar shift to the BJP, while Supriya Sule says the party will support delimitation only if Lok Sabha seats rise by 50% nationwide. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maharashtra-ncp-factions-weigh-delimitation-reform-and-potential-bjp-alliance ### 2026-07-10: NCP leaders reject BJP alliance talks, pledge loyalty to Sharad Pawar NCP leaders Ekhand Khadse and Supriya Sule deny talks of joining the BJP, reaffirm loyalty to Sharad Pawar and reject alliance rumors. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ncp-leaders-reject-bjp-alliance-talks-pledge-loyalty-to-sharad-pawar ### 2026-06-25: Sharad Pawar denies defection rumors as NCP (SP) MPs stay united Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule say no NCP (SP) MP or MLA will defect, rejecting rumors of five MPs switching sides amid recent Shiv Sena defections in Maharashtra. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sharad-pawar-denies-defection-rumors-as-ncp-sp-mps-stay-united ### 2026-06-13: Supriya Sule denies any merger proposal between NCP (SP) and Congress Supriya Sule, NCP (SP) working president, said no merger proposal has been sent or received with the Congress, rejecting recent speculation and urging focus on farmers' issues. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supriya-sule-denies-any-merger-proposal-between-ncp-sp-and-congress --- Cite as: NCP factions face BJP pressure for merger, talks intensify. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ncp-sp-merger-and-defection-denials