The political landscape of Maharashtra is often described as fluid, a state where alliances shift and fracture with surprising speed. For months, whispers of a reunion between the two wings of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – one led by Sharad Pawar, the veteran politician who has contributed to national politics for six decades, and the other by his son, Ajit Pawar – had circulated. But those hopes, it appears, died with Ajit Pawar himself.
On January 28th, Ajit Pawar, former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash near Baramati, his home constituency. The shock reverberated through the state’s political circles. It also, according to Supriya Sule, working president of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction, brought an abrupt end to merger discussions. “The merger (of both factions of the party) was discussed until my brother (Ajit Pawar) was alive,” Sule stated at a press conference. “The day he left us, it put a full stop to those discussions.” Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar, emphasized that the possibility of reunification had been contingent on her brother’s involvement. “As long as my brother was alive, yes, there were discussions about a merger, and a date had been decided,” she said. “After he passed away, we have put a full stop to this issue from our side.”
To understand the current impasse, it’s crucial to recall the events that led to the NCP’s division. Ajit Pawar, along with a significant number of NCP MLAs, joined the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move fractured the NCP, creating two distinct factions: one led by Sharad Pawar, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) or NCP (SP), and the other by Ajit Pawar. The split was a blow to Sharad Pawar, who at 86, had spent 60 years shaping the state’s politics. The veteran leader’s long relationship with Praful Patel, spanning six decades, was also a point of focus as Patel remained aligned with the Ajit Pawar faction.
He also reaffirmed the faction’s commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the BJP-led coalition.
Supriya Sule says ‘full stop on merger after Ajit Pawar’s death’ amid NCP reunion buzz https://t.co/e3F4hwPC40
Following Ajit Pawar’s death, speculation about a potential reconciliation intensified. However, both sides moved quickly to quell these rumors. Sunil Tatkare, Maharashtra NCP President and a key figure in the Ajit Pawar faction, firmly denied any ongoing merger talks. “There is absolutely no discussion regarding a merger in our party at any level,” Tatkare asserted. He also reaffirmed the faction’s commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the BJP-led coalition. “We joined the NDA after deep consideration under the leadership of Narendra Modi. We are in the NDA and will remain in the NDA.”
Amidst the denial of merger talks, reports surfaced of a meeting between Praful Patel and Sharad Pawar. This fueled further speculation about a possible behind-the-scenes attempt at reconciliation. However, Tatkare clarified that the meeting was a personal courtesy call to check Sharad Pawar’s health, not a political move. The two men have a long history, with their relationship spanning 60 years.
Supriya Sule Closes Door On NCP Merger, Says Talks Ended With Ajit Pawar's Death https://t.co/3satXwu8Iy
While the Sharad Pawar faction definitively closed the door on a merger, the position of Sunetra Pawar, who assumed leadership of the Ajit Pawar faction after her husband’s death, is also significant. Reports indicate that she opposes a merger, preferring that the two factions remain separate. Even if the Sharad Pawar-led group were to join the NDA independently, Sunetra Pawar reportedly wants to maintain the distinct identity of her faction.
Supriya Sule, while addressing the merger speculation, also used the opportunity to steer the conversation towards broader national policy issues. She expressed her party’s support in principle for a proposed 50% increase in parliamentary seats during the upcoming delimitation process – a periodic redrawing of electoral boundaries. However, she also urged the media to focus on more pressing legislative matters, such as the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal. “The Central government is bringing major bills,” Sule said. “While such huge policymaking work is going on, if you ask me questions about that and hold me accountable, I would be genuinely happy. That is why I request with folded hands that I will not answer on this topic again.”
News Alert! NCP merger issue ended for her and her party the day Ajit Pawar died, says NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule. https://t.co/ydK6N9tkha
As of now, the NCP remains divided. The death of Ajit Pawar has seemingly extinguished any immediate prospects of reunification. The Ajit Pawar faction, under Sunetra Pawar’s leadership, is firmly aligned with the NDA, while the Sharad Pawar faction continues to navigate its own path. Sanjay Raut, a leader from the Shiv Sena (UBT), claimed that 20 to 22 MLAs were ready to switch sides, but Tatkare dismissed this as baseless, even questioning Raut’s mental health. The future of the NCP, once a dominant force in Maharashtra politics, remains uncertain, a fractured entity navigating a complex and ever-changing political landscape.