NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar has ruled out speculation that his party could merge with the rival NCP faction or join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Monday after a meeting with party leaders, Pawar said his party would continue to work independently and focus on strengthening its own organisation.
Pawar said the NCP (SP) would not move towards another political formation. He also indicated that those who want to work with his party should join it rather than expect the NCP (SP) to merge elsewhere.
Merger speculation continues
Talk of a possible reunification between the two NCP factions has continued for several months.
The NCP split in 2023 after Ajit Pawar and a group of MLAs joined the BJP-led government. The Election Commission later recognised the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the NCP, while Sharad Pawar’s group was given the name Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).
The possibility of the two factions coming together has periodically returned to political discussions in Maharashtra. Recent speculation also linked the Sharad Pawar-led party with a possible shift towards the NDA.
Pawar’s latest comments, however, indicate that his immediate focus remains on his own party’s organisation rather than such a political realignment.
Pawar stresses party’s independent position
Pawar said the NCP (SP) would maintain its identity and work to strengthen its base.
His remarks came during a meeting of party leaders and workers in Mumbai, where discussions also focused on the party’s future political strategy.
NCP (SP) Maharashtra president Shashikant Shinde said any possible unification would have to involve the other faction joining the Sharad Pawar-led party.
The rival NCP, meanwhile, has said it continues to remain with the NDA. NCP leaders have also stated that there is no official merger proposal between the two factions.
PM Modi meeting had earlier triggered speculation
Speculation about a possible political realignment increased after Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July.
Pawar later said that meeting was connected to discussions over the need for dialogue between the government and young protesters seeking action related to the NEET issue. His latest statement comes amid renewed discussion about the future relationship between the two NCP factions.
For now, Pawar has publicly rejected the possibility of his party moving towards the NDA and said the NCP (SP) will concentrate on strengthening itself.
