Ajit Pawar Camp Sparks Fresh Political Buzz in Maharashtra
Political uncertainty in Maharashtra has intensified once again after leaders from Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) claimed that several MPs and MLAs from Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP group are allegedly in touch with them. The remarks have triggered fresh speculation about a possible realignment in the state’s political landscape.
Claims of Backchannel Contact With NCP-SP Leaders
Senior NCP leader Baba Dharmarao Atram, associated with the Ajit Pawar camp, stated that multiple lawmakers from Sharad Pawar’s faction are reportedly in contact with their leadership. While these claims have created political chatter, there has been no official confirmation from any elected representative of the NCP-SP.
Party insiders from the Ajit Pawar camp have suggested that discussions, if they progress, could lead to significant political shifts in the coming months.
Numbers Game and Anti-Defection Math
At present, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP holds nine Members of Parliament, including eight in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha. Under India’s anti-defection law, any split or merger requires at least two-thirds of MPs to support the move to avoid disqualification.
In the Lok Sabha, this means at least six out of eight MPs would need to align with any breakaway faction for a legally valid split. The current MPs include prominent leaders such as Supriya Sule, Amol Kolhe, Nilesh Lanke, and others.
Parallel Turmoil in Shiv Sena (UBT) Adds to Tension
The developments come at a time when the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction is already facing internal pressure, with reports of multiple MPs distancing themselves from Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.
Six MPs are said to have moved towards seeking recognition as a separate group in Parliament, with indications that further alignment with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena could follow. The situation has revived memories of the major 2022 political split that reshaped Maharashtra’s power structure.
Rohit Pawar Criticises Defection Politics
While Sharad Pawar has not issued any formal response, NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar has strongly criticised the ongoing political developments. He said that issues like unemployment, farmer distress, water shortages, and women’s safety are being ignored amid constant political realignments.
He also condemned what he described as a growing “market” of political defections, arguing that voters should hold leaders accountable for switching sides and breaking public trust.
