India, Nov. 7 -- The possibility of a reunion between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its rival NCP (SP) - a matter of curiosity in political circles for many months -- may have been realised sooner had Ajit Pawar been alive, senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare has indicated. His remarks came even as deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, and a cohort of senior leaders called on on NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at Breach Candy Hospital, where he is being treated for chest congestion.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also spoke to Sharad Pawar's daughter and NCP (SP) national working president Supriya Sule earlier for an update on his health status.

"Discussions on the merger of the two NCP factions had indeed taken place. Ajit Dada had...