Political turmoil intensifies in Maharashtra. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's praise for his uncle, Sharad Pawar, fuels speculation of a potential NCP reunification.
Maharashtra: Is Maharashtra poised for a significant political shift? This question gained prominence after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar publicly lauded his uncle, Sharad Pawar. This has sparked intense speculation within political circles about a possible reunion of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Let's delve into the details and its potential political implications.
Why did Ajit Pawar praise Sharad Pawar?
During an event in Pune, Ajit Pawar commended his uncle and senior leader Sharad Pawar's leadership. He highlighted Sharad Pawar's instrumental role as Chief Minister in passing the bill granting 33% reservation for women in local bodies in Maharashtra.
Ajit Pawar stated, "At that time, Saheb (Sharad Pawar) was the Chief Minister, and I was a newly elected MLA. He didn't adjourn the house until the bill was passed. We debated until 3:30 AM, and finally, the bill was passed."
This statement has caused a stir in political circles, given the significant rift between the two factions last year.
NCP Split in 2023
In July 2023, Ajit Pawar took a significant political step, parting ways with Sharad Pawar to join Eknath Shinde's government as Deputy CM. This led to a split within the NCP, creating two factions:
- One led by Ajit Pawar
- The other led by Sharad Pawar
The Election Commission subsequently granted the name "Nationalist Congress Party" and the traditional 'clock' symbol to Ajit Pawar's faction. Sharad Pawar's faction was recognized as "Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar)".
Communication between the two leaders had been minimal since the split, but Ajit Pawar's recent praise suggests a potential shift in political dynamics.
Can the two factions reunite?
Speculation has been rife in recent weeks about a possible political rapprochement between the two NCP factions. Both sides have publicly dismissed this as mere "speculation." However, Ajit Pawar's praise of Sharad Pawar suggests that avenues for dialogue may be opening up.
Political analysts believe that a reunification of the two factions could significantly impact the 2025 Maharashtra Assembly elections and the 2026 Lok Sabha elections.
Opposition Attack: Sharad Pawar Criticizes Central Government
At another event, Sharad Pawar criticized the Modi government at the center, alleging misuse of the PMMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) against opposition leaders.
He stated that the scope of this law changes with every change in the central government, disproportionately affecting opposition parties. This statement was made during the launch of a Marathi book by MP Sanjay Raut, detailing his experiences in jail.
