India, May 3 -- Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar has dismissed talk of reuniting with the NCP (SP) led by his uncle Sharad Pawar as mere media fiction, even as he acknowledged that workers on both sides may still harbour hopes of a merger.

Speculation of uncle and nephew reconciling after the bitter 2023 split in the NCP led by Ajit Pawar surfaced after the two senior politicians were seen together at various public functions recently. Both Pawars attended a function of the Rayat Shikshan Sanstha in Satara two weeks ago, while Pawar Senior attended the engagement ceremony of Ajit Pawar's son Jay just two days earlier. Also, Ajit Pawar last week showered praise on Sharad Pawar for his contribution to the development of Ma...