Maharashtra – In a significant political development days ahead of Maharashtra’s civic body polls, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that the NCP factions together are now operating in several regions, marking a potential end to the bitter family and political divide that has characterized Maharashtra politics since 2023. “The workers of both parties want to unite. The two NCPs are together now. All tensions in our family have ended,” Ajit Pawar declared, signaling a dramatic shift in the state’s political landscape. This announcement about the NCP factions together comes as a major surprise given the acrimonious split that occurred in July 2023.
Background of NCP Split Before Factions Coming Together
The Nationalist Congress Party split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar along with several MLAs and other senior party members. Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led government and aligned with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), claimed the original party name and symbol, and assumed the position of deputy chief minister of Maharashtra. This split created deep divisions within the Pawar family and the party organization. Now, the development of NCP factions together represents a potential healing of these wounds and a reunification that few political observers anticipated would happen so soon.
Workers’ Demand Brings NCP Factions Together
According to Ajit Pawar, the primary driving force behind bringing the NCP factions together has been the desire of party workers at the grassroots level. “The workers of both parties want to unite,” he emphasized, highlighting that the reunion is not merely a top-down decision but reflects genuine sentiment among party cadres. The coming together of NCP factions together has been particularly welcomed by workers in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, where both factions are jointly contesting the upcoming civic body polls. This worker-driven momentum for unity suggests that the split may have been more unpopular at the grassroots level than the leadership initially realized.
Civic Polls Strategy With NCP Factions Together
The immediate context for bringing NCP factions together is the ongoing municipal elections in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar explained that both factions of the NCP are fighting together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad in the upcoming civic body polls, a decision that has been enthusiastically welcomed by workers of both parties. “Workers from both factions are happy that we are contesting together in these cities. It is a good thing. We will discuss the larger issue later, as our focus right now is on the elections,” he stated. The strategy of fielding NCP factions together in key urban centers demonstrates a pragmatic approach to electoral politics.
“No Permanent Enemies” Philosophy Behind NCP Factions Together
Earlier on Thursday, Ajit Pawar had signaled while talking to local media that the rival NCP factions together could permanently reunite after the ongoing municipal elections. He emphasized the political maxim that there are no “permanent enemies” in politics, suggesting flexibility in political arrangements. “As municipal elections are underway, we are extremely busy with alliance talks, seat-sharing, campaign planning, and the actual campaigning. There is no time to discuss these issues right now…But since both factions have come together in some places, the workers of both parties are very happy,” he explained, indicating that bringing NCP factions together is an evolving process rather than a single event.
Family Reconciliation Enables NCP Factions Together
A crucial aspect of bringing the NCP factions together has been the resolution of family tensions within the Pawar clan. “All tensions in our family have ended,” Ajit Pawar declared, suggesting that personal relationships have been mended alongside political rapprochement. The reunion of the Pawar family represents a significant development in Maharashtra politics, as the family’s influence extends far beyond just the Nationalist Congress Party. The resolution of family issues has cleared the path for the NCP factions together to work collaboratively, at least in certain regions and for specific elections.
Regional Focus With NCP Factions Together
When questioned about his extensive presence in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad compared to his cousin and MP Supriya Sule, who belongs to Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, Ajit explained that the focus of leaders varies depending on the region. “Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are my home districts and thus, I am spending maximum time there,” he stated. Despite the NCP factions together arrangement, he clarified that different leaders are campaigning in their respective districts. “Sunil Tatkare has also visited Pune, and other leaders are campaigning in their respective districts. I have been informed that Supriya Sule will be visiting the city soon for campaigning,” he added.
Timeline for Permanent Reunion of NCP Factions Together
While the NCP factions together are currently cooperating in specific municipal elections, the question of permanent reunification remains open. Ajit Pawar indicated that discussions about a complete merger would occur after the civic body polls conclude. “We will discuss the larger issue later, as our focus right now is on the elections,” he stated, suggesting that the current arrangement of NCP factions together is somewhat experimental and success in these elections could pave the way for a more permanent reconciliation.
Implications of NCP Factions Together for Maharashtra Politics
The development of NCP factions together has significant implications for Maharashtra’s political landscape. If the reunion becomes permanent, it would restore the Nationalist Congress Party to its pre-split strength and potentially alter power dynamics within the state’s ruling coalition. The arrangement of NCP factions together also raises questions about the future of alliance politics in Maharashtra, particularly regarding the relationship between the united NCP and other coalition partners in both the NDA and opposition camps. As civic body polls approach, all eyes are on how effectively the NCP factions together can translate their newfound unity into electoral success.
