Sharad Pawar's Comeback to Helm Sets Off Alarm Bells in NCP Ranks
The political landscape of Maharashtra's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been thrown into uncertainty following Sharad Pawar's public distancing from ongoing merger talks between the two factions. This development has cast fresh doubt over the possibility of reunification, exposing deep divisions within the party and creating anxiety among leaders who had aligned with the late Ajit Pawar's camp.
Stalled Negotiations and Open Resistance
Even as leaders from the NCP(SP) faction claim that negotiations had reached an advanced stage, Sharad Pawar's recent remarks suggest the process has effectively stalled. The veteran politician emphasized that key decisions, including the selection of Sunetra Pawar as legislative party leader, were internal matters of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and had not been discussed with his group.
This public declaration has brought into the open the resistance within the ruling NCP faction towards a potential merger. A significant section of leaders is reluctant to move forward, primarily due to fears about losing authority, access to government positions, and control within a unified party structure.
The Critical Role of Ajit Pawar as Mediator
Senior leaders from both factions acknowledge that Ajit Pawar had played the central role in facilitating merger discussions over the past four months. He had personally opened communication channels with Sharad Pawar and delegated leaders like Jayant Patil and Shashikant Shinde to hold detailed negotiations.
Sharad Pawar confirmed this pivotal involvement, stating, "For the last four months, Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil discussed the issue of the merger of two parties. Now, the unfortunate accident has happened. It seems that the process will now be discontinued."
With Ajit Pawar no longer present to drive the process, leaders from both sides acknowledge that the talks have lost their main organizer and mediator. This absence makes it considerably harder to carry forward negotiations that heavily depended on his unique standing and influence within the ruling faction.
Mounting Concerns Over Ministerial Positions and Influence
Several leaders who remained with Ajit Pawar after the 2023 split currently hold significant ministerial posts or key organizational roles within the party and government. A merger would inevitably require accommodating leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction, leading to a substantial reshuffle in both the Cabinet and the party hierarchy.
This prospect has created genuine concern among those who fear losing their hard-earned positions or political influence. A reunion would bring back prominent leaders such as Jayant Patil and Anil Deshmukh to the center of party affairs. Many of these figures moved into opposition after the split and would naturally seek substantial roles in both a unified party structure and the government.
Many second-rung NCP leaders who might have hesitated to voice opposition during Ajit Pawar's presence now feel more emboldened to speak out against accommodating these returning leaders in his absence.
Sharad Pawar's Potential Return to Center Stage
Another significant source of discomfort stems from the possibility of Sharad Pawar regaining substantial control over the party's direction and decision-making processes. A merged NCP would likely see Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule playing central roles in shaping key decisions.
Leaders who rose to prominence within the Ajit Pawar faction after the 2023 split now fear their influence would considerably decline under Sharad Pawar's leadership. The original division within the NCP was partly driven by dissatisfaction over Sharad Pawar's leadership style and his insistence on running the party based on personal ideological alignments rather than the collective demands of party members.
While the NCP has spent most of its existence in power since inception, Sharad Pawar's decision to not align with the BJP when it became politically dominant in Maharashtra—despite repeated requests from party members—was one of the key reasons for the split. A section of NCP leaders now feels that while the family of Ajit Pawar in leadership roles would be more pliable, the same cannot be said of Sharad Pawar's potentially firmer approach.
Apprehensions Within the Mahayuti Alliance
There is also considerable concern about how a reunited NCP would function within the BJP-led ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. Leaders aligned with the Ajit Pawar faction worry that a party led by Sharad Pawar could reduce its dependence on the BJP and potentially change its political approach and alliances.
These leaders view their current role in government as a key strategic advantage and fear that reunification could substantially weaken their position within the Mahayuti coalition framework.
The BJP's Calculated Hesitation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seen as an important external factor in any potential reunification move. Political observers note that the party would likely be more cautious dealing with a united NCP led by Sharad Pawar than with a faction led by second-level leaders.
Sharad Pawar's extensive political experience and proven negotiating ability give him greater influence in coalition politics. A stronger NCP under his leadership could press harder on critical issues such as portfolio distribution, policy implementation, and seat-sharing arrangements.
By contrast, leaders from the Ajit Pawar faction who currently hold ministerial posts are generally seen as more dependent on the BJP, making political coordination and management considerably easier for the ruling party. There is also underlying concern that Sharad Pawar's return to a central role could reopen communication channels with opposition parties at the national level, potentially affecting the stability of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.
The political calculus remains complex, with multiple stakeholders weighing their interests in this evolving scenario that continues to shape Maharashtra's political landscape.
