Political circles in Maharashtra are abuzz with speculation about a potential permanent merger of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), following significant hints dropped by key leaders from both factions. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his cousin, MP Supriya Sule, have indicated that a future reunion of the party, which split in 2022, remains a possibility, though immediate focus is on the upcoming local body elections.
Alliance for Polls, Merger on Hold
In conversations with the media, both leaders clarified the current nature of their collaboration. Supriya Sule, speaking to IANS, confirmed that the alliance between the NCP and the NCP(SP) led by Sharad Pawar is specifically for the upcoming local body elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. She stressed that no final decision has been made regarding a permanent merger. "Our alliance is formed for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections. We will see about it in the future," Sule stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Ajit Pawar emphasized that the electoral battle is the primary concern for now. "We have not thought about this yet. Our primary focus is on the upcoming elections. Only after the elections will we see," he said. This temporary partnership was visibly demonstrated on Saturday, January 13, when Ajit and Sule shared a stage to release a common NCP manifesto for the January 15 polls.
Cracks in Mahayuti Over Campaign Criticism
The political maneuvering has, however, exposed tensions within the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis publicly took a swipe at his deputy, Ajit Pawar, for criticising the BJP during the campaign trail. Fadnavis revealed that both parties had agreed to contest the civic polls separately but as a "friendly contest," refraining from attacking each other.
"Ajit dada only speaks, but my work speaks. I have followed that rule till now, but his restraint is somewhat shaken," Fadnavis remarked during an interaction. He confidently added that Ajit Pawar would not "speak" after January 15, when votes are cast, hinting at a strong BJP performance.
Background of the Split and Path Ahead
The current alliance is a notable development two years after Ajit Pawar, along with several senior leaders, rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar. He joined hands with the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, citing objections to the elder Pawar's continued leadership due to age. Ajit Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, while the Election Commission later recognised his faction as the legitimate NCP, awarding it the party's original 'clock' symbol. Sharad Pawar's faction adopted the 'tutari' (curved trumpet) as its symbol.
After facing setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar admitted that turning his back on his family had been a "mistake." He has also previously stated that friction within the Pawar family had been resolved and that workers from both sides favoured a union. The outcome of the Pune civic polls and the subsequent discussions between the factions will be crucial in determining whether the hints of reunion materialise into a full-fledged political merger, potentially reshaping Maharashtra's political landscape.
