Mumbai: Maharashtra may be heading for another major political shake-up. Sharad Pawar has revealed that there are two different opinions within his party about joining hands with Ajit Pawar’s group. In a recent interview, he said that while some leaders want both factions to reunite, others believe the party should stay with the INDIA alliance and avoid any tie-up with the BJP.
His statement has sparked fresh speculation about a possible reunion between the two NCP factions. there has been talk in Maharashtra about Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray coming together, with posters supporting their unity seen across the state. Now, similar speculation is growing about whether Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar might also reunite.
In an interview with a newspaper, Sharad Pawar was asked about the possibility of both NCP factions coming together. Responding informally, he said, “The decision on reuniting both factions lies with Supriya Sule. She and Ajit Pawar must sit together and decide. When the NCP was formed, all these people were together, and they shared the same ideology. So if they come together again in the future, I won’t be surprised. Today, all my MPs are united in their stance. There may be some unrest among MLAs, as they are tied to constituency-related work, which can cause dissatisfaction. I am quite removed from the decision-making process now. Whatever decision is to be made, it will be taken by Supriya Sule.”
Ajit Pawar has the support of most MLAs, while Sharad Pawar holds the backing of traditional voters and a strong national identity. If the two come together, the party could regain its strength. Sharad Pawar also criticized the functioning of the INDIA alliance and handed over the responsibility of making key decisions to Supriya Sule. This has raised curiosity about whether the NCP factions are now moving toward reunification.
Reacting to the developments, former minister Chhagan Bhujbal said that Sharad Pawar has shown a ray of hope regarding the reunification of both NCP factions. “His experience will definitely be valuable. I sincerely wish this reconciliation happens at the earliest. If both factions of the NCP are coming together, I am ready to mediate,” he said.
On the other hand, Anil Deshmukh, leader of the Sharad Pawar faction and former minister, chose not to comment much on the matter. He said, “Sharad Pawar might have spoken based on the wishes expressed by some party workers, but for now, we are focused on strengthening our party.”
