New details have emerged about late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s final political plans, with a close associate revealing that he was fully committed to reuniting the divided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and believed the process was almost complete before his sudden death.

Kiran Gujar, who has shared a long personal association with Ajit Pawar since before his formal entry into politics, said the senior leader had discussed the reunification plan in detail just days before the tragic plane crash. According to Gujar, Pawar was confident that the long-standing split within the party was about to end.

“He was absolutely clear in his mind,” Gujar said. “He told me that the merger work was done and that both factions would come together in the next few days. He was 100 per cent sure about it.”

Ajit Pawar’s death has now left the party at a critical crossroads. Along with stalled merger efforts, questions around leadership and direction have taken centre stage within the NCP. The sudden vacuum has triggered intense internal discussions among senior leaders.

Amid this uncertainty, Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, has emerged as a central figure in the party’s future plans. Several party leaders are believed to be backing her for a larger political role, seeing her as the natural successor to carry forward Ajit Pawar’s legacy.

Party insiders say discussions are underway on multiple possibilities, including her induction into the Maharashtra cabinet, a senior leadership position within the NCP, and her candidature from Baramati, a seat closely associated with the Pawar family. A by-election in the constituency is expected within the next six months.