Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) Chief Sharad Pawar cuts the cake during his 84th birthday celebrations, in Mumbai on Thursday. | ANI
Discussions have resurfaced about the possibility of a tie-up between Sharad Pawar’s NCP and the BJP in the wake of the Mahayuti’s success in the assembly election.
Pawar, Sr celebrated his birthday on Thursday, and his nephew Ajit Pawar was at his residence in New Delhi to greet him.
About 10 days ago, Praful Patel, a leader of the Ajit Pawar faction, also reportedly met Sharad Pawar.
Additionally, it is being reported that on Thursday afternoon, a prominent leader from Sharad Pawar’s faction and a senior BJP leader met in Delhi.
This has fuelled discussions about the possibility of Sharad Pawar aligning with the BJP. The speculation strengthened after Sunanda Pawar, mother of MLA Rohit Pawar, made a statement that it was the wish of workers from both parties that Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar should come together.
A united family is strength, she said in Pune, adding that generations of the Pawar household have stayed together through thick and thin.
Following the election, there is a sense of unease among the MLAs and MPs of the Sharad Pawar faction. On December 4, an important meeting was held in Delhi with the MPs, where there was a strong sentiment that they should join the government. However, it has been reported that this issue has led to a division within the faction. One group believes that they should maintain their independent identity and join the BJP-led government, while the other group is in favour of joining Ajit Pawar’s NCP.
However, most of the NCP’s MLAs and MPs are now inclined towards joining the government. If this happens, it could lead to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in the state.
According to sources, a central BJP leader reportedly sought information from Sharad Pawar’s faction leaders regarding the upcoming local body elections and the faction’s future role. The two leaders engaged in lengthy discussions. If Sharad Pawar decides to align with the BJP, the reactions of the Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena would be crucial.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed that the BJP has tasked NCP leaders Praful Patel and Ajit Pawar with “breaking” the NCP (SP). Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut said Sharad Pawar toils hard even at the age of 84, but efforts were being made to engineer a split in his party.
Anyone leaving the opposition party should be ashamed of their action, the Rajya Sabha member said.
“The NCP does not have a position in the Union Cabinet because the quota for [NDA allies] to become a minister at the Centre is six MPs. Praful Patel and Ajit Pawar have been told [by the BJP] to break five MPs from the NCP (SP) so the can complete the quota of six MPs,” Raut claimed.
The NCP (SP) has eight MPs in the Lok Sabha, while the NCP (Ajit Pawar) has one member in the lower house.
