This comes days after Sharad Pawar said in an interview with The Indian Express that his party officials couldn’t agree on whether to work with his nephew and NCP chief, Ajit.
Mumbai, May 13, 2025 — Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and his nephew, NCP president and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, appeared together at an event hosted by the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank in Mumbai on Monday, marking their second joint appearance in four days. The event follows their meeting at a Rayat Shikshan Sanstha program in Satara on Friday, fueling speculation about a potential reunion of the rival NCP factions.
The speculation began after Sharad Pawar’s interview with The Indian Express on May 7, where he acknowledged internal party differences regarding a possible reconciliation with Ajit. “There are two views in the party. One supports reuniting with Ajit, while the other opposes aligning with the BJP, directly or indirectly,” Pawar said. The timing of his statement, just two days after the Supreme Court cleared the way for local body elections, suggests the move may be strategic, aimed at addressing internal dissent ahead of the polls.
NCP sources indicate that the joint appearances are part of a broader effort to boost party morale. “With local body elections approaching, maintaining the confidence of elected representatives and party workers is critical. This is a calculated strategy,” a senior NCP representative said. Sources also reveal that at least four of the NCP (SP)’s 10 MLAs favor a reunion.
The NCP (SP), part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alongside Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), faced a significant setback in last year’s Assembly elections, winning only 10 of the 86 seats it contested. In contrast, the ruling Mahayuti coalition—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP—secured 235 of Maharashtra’s 288 Assembly seats. The NCP (SP) and NCP recorded vote shares of 11.28% and 9.1%, respectively, in the Assembly polls, compared to 10.27% and 3.6% in the Lok Sabha elections, where NCP (SP) won eight of 10 contested seats.
NCP (SP) working president and Baramati MP Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar’s daughter, emphasized that any decision on a reunion would follow consultations with party workers. However, an NCP (SP) MLA, speaking anonymously, cautioned that reuniting with Ajit’s faction would imply supporting the BJP at both state and national levels. “This is less about resolving dissent and more about signaling to the BJP that we have eight MPs and they lack a full majority. Pawar remains a key Opposition figure, so we should avoid hasty conclusions,” the MLA said.
The reunion buzz has stirred unease among both the ruling Mahayuti and the Opposition MVA. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declined to comment, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed the two NCP factions were “already together.” Raut contrasted this with his party’s stance, stating, “We refuse to align with those who split our party, toppled the government, and betrayed Maharashtra.” Referencing Sule’s remarks, Raut added, “Some parties are more open-minded, saying they’ll decide after consulting workers. I have no issue with Pawar.”
As local body elections loom, the NCP’s internal dynamics and strategic maneuvers continue to shape Maharashtra’s political landscape.
