Maharashtra: At Least Eight MPs from Sharad Pawar’s Camp Likely to Join Ajit Pawar’s Faction

Mumbai, 7th January 2025: In a significant political shift, at least eight Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, are expected to join Ajit Pawar’s faction. These MPs, reportedly in close contact with Ajit Pawar’s camp, are anticipated to make their move official soon. This development is a major blow to Sharad Pawar’s leadership, especially since the Election Commission of India (ECI) has already recognized Ajit Pawar’s faction as the ‘real’ NCP.

Following the ECI’s ruling, the Ajit Pawar-led faction was granted the official NCP name and poll symbol, solidifying their position as the legitimate NCP. Sources close to the party suggest that Sharad Pawar is open to joining the ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speculation is also growing that he may be lobbying for a ministerial position for his daughter, Supriya Sule, in the Modi-led cabinet.

This comes shortly after Supriya Sule, the Baramati MP and a leader from Sharad Pawar’s faction, praised BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. Speaking to reporters in Pune on January 3, Sule commended Fadnavis, who had recently assumed office as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, calling him the only active member of the state government. “Most ministers in the Mahayuti government have yet to take charge. Devendra Fadnavis is the only one working diligently. He is focused and operating in mission mode, which is commendable. We wish him all the best,” she said.

This latest development is being seen as a major setback for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra, as well as for the opposition’s INDI Alliance. The NCP, under Sharad Pawar, contested 10 Lok Sabha seats in the last election and won eight of them. The decision by eight MPs to reportedly join Ajit Pawar’s faction follows a massive victory for his party and the Mahayuti alliance in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections.

The NCP split occurred in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar and several other party leaders broke away from Sharad Pawar’s NCP and aligned with the BJP-Shiv Sena government. Since then, speculation about Sharad Pawar’s future has intensified, with some reports suggesting he might join the Mahayuti alliance.