Shrutika Patil, Pune
As the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) gears up for a pivotal meeting of the Indian National Democratic Integrated Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) in Mumbai, party founder Sharad Pawar categorically dismissed rumours of a split within the NCP.
This assertion by Pawar has sent shockwaves through the opposition bloc, which is uniting to challenge the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (N.D.A.).
Pawar’s statement comes in response to concerns raised by the leadership of Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, the partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (M.V.A.) coalition.
They perceive Pawar’s comments as confusing party members.
This declaration from Pawar, an influential political figure, counteracts statements made by his daughter and NCP’s working president, Supriya Sule, affirming the party’s unity. Sule’s assertion aimed to clarify that there was no division within the NCP.
The origin of this debate can be traced back to Ajit Pawar’s decision to switch allegiance to the ruling N.D.A. camp. He joined with a substantial faction of NCP legislators to become the deputy chief minister alongside B.J.P.’s Devendra Fadnavis in the government led by Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde. This move destabilised the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
The August 31-September 1 I.N.D.I.A meeting, slated at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, gains significance as 80 leaders, including chief ministers, former chief ministers, and party presidents of over 26 parties, are expected to attend.
Pawar’s statement echoed from his political stronghold, Baramati, where he addressed the developments of July 2, 2023. He acknowledged Ajit Pawar’s divergent stance and stated that the party had complained to the Assembly speaker, awaiting his response.
When questioned about Sule’s assertion that there was no division within the NCP and Ajit Pawar remained a party leader, Sharad Pawar emphasised, “There is no question about it… How can anybody say that there is a split in NCP? There’s no question about it.”
He further elucidated that the exit of some members and differing stances did not signify a party split. Instead, it was their democratic right to make such decisions.
These developments, just days before the I.N.D.I.A meeting raises questions about the internal dynamics of the NCP and the political strategies at play.