Sharad Pawar's NCP Suffers Historic Setback in Maharashtra Civic Elections
Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party recorded its worst-ever performance in Maharashtra's municipal corporation elections. The party, which has remained politically significant since its formation in 1999, faced near-annihilation in Thursday's polls.
Complete Washout in Multiple Corporations
Of the twenty-nine municipal corporations that went to the polls, Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) failed to open its account in fourteen corporations. This represents a dramatic decline for a party that has traditionally held considerable influence in Maharashtra's political landscape.
Disappointing Results in Pawar's Home District
The most significant battle occurred in Pune, the Pawar family's home district. Here, Sharad Pawar's party allied with his nephew Ajit Pawar's faction to challenge the BJP. Despite this alliance, the results proved disastrous.
In Pune Municipal Corporation, Sharad Pawar's party managed to secure only two seats. The situation grew even more dire in the neighboring Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, where the party failed to win a single seat.
Absent Leadership and Organizational Weakness
Senior NCP (SP) leadership remained notably absent from campaigning across most municipal corporations. Sharad Pawar himself did not appear at either of the alliance meetings, nor did he participate in campaign activities.
Supriya Sule, the party's working president, largely stayed away from the campaign trail. She made only a brief appearance with her estranged cousin Ajit Pawar to release the alliance's manifesto for Pune Municipal Corporation. No joint rallies followed this limited cooperation.
Party office-bearers revealed that the NCP (SP)'s organizational structure had already weakened significantly. Other parties had actively poached their candidates before the elections. One senior Congress member explained that the senior leadership held low expectations for these polls because few worthy candidates remained with the party.
Growing Pressure for Reunification
Political observers now believe Sharad Pawar will seriously consider reuniting with his nephew on the political front. The alliance formed for these elections may represent just the first step toward this potential merger.
Parimal Maya Sudhakar, a respected political analyst, noted that party workers initially supported Sharad Pawar following the July 2023 split. However, these sentiments have gradually settled, with many now seeking political stability. This shift explains why numerous workers switched sides during the elections.
Limited Future Options
Going forward, observers suggest the NCP (SP) faces minimal options beyond merging with other political parties. Sharad Pawar himself predicted in 2024 that some regional parties would move closer to larger parties within the state.
Sudhakar outlined two possible paths for the party's survival. If the NCP (SP) remains committed to secular ideology, it could consider merging with a national party like the Congress. Alternatively, if the party wishes to avoid permanent opposition status, reuniting with Ajit Pawar's NCP presents a viable option.
Recent political developments in Maharashtra strongly suggest that a merger between both NCP factions appears imminent. The disastrous election results have accelerated this political realignment, forcing difficult decisions about the party's future direction and survival.
