The Nationalist Congress Party marked its 26th foundation day with separate celebrations held by its two factions in Pune, amid growing discussions about a possible merger between Sharad Pawar’s group and that led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. While the events were held independently, both leaders struck a common chord on development and public welfare, even as they reaffirmed loyalty to their respective paths.
Ajit Pawar, leading his faction and speaking at his event, underlined development, inclusivity, and a forward-looking agenda as the party’s focus. He defended his alignment with the National Democratic Alliance, citing past participation by leaders such as Chandrababu Naidu, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Mamata Banerjee. “Our aim is clear—development and upliftment of the underprivileged,” he said.
He also reminded party workers of the NCP’s early push for women’s representation through local body reservations in Maharashtra, adding that the NDA’s one-third reservation for women in legislatures was a step in the right direction. Refuting allegations about diversion of funds from backward and Adivasi communities, he said the state budget for Scheduled Tribes had been increased by 41 percent and that for social justice departments by 38 percent in the last budget.
Speaking on the faction’s poor showing in the recent Lok Sabha elections, Pawar acknowledged the need for reflection and course correction. He cited the launch of the Ladli Behen Scheme as one such measure, aimed at addressing women’s concerns. “Do I hide funds in my pockets?” he asked, rejecting claims of mismanagement. “We have distributed funds in phases, maintaining discipline and fairness.”
Ajit Pawar urged party workers to gear up for the upcoming local body elections, saying the party would begin state-wide rallies within the next one and a half months. While Mumbai might see single-ward polls, other corporations could adopt a four-ward format. He also hinted at alliances based on local political equations and stated that while new faces would be welcomed into the party, only those who prove themselves would be given responsibilities. “Divisive politics may yield short-term gains, but inclusive politics is the only way forward,” he added.
Meanwhile, Supriya Sule, representing Sharad Pawar’s faction, led a parallel celebration that focused on gratitude, public connection, and internal strength. Reflecting on the party’s 26-year journey, she said it had always stood with the people of Maharashtra and the country. “There are good days and bad days; that’s life,” she said, referring to the political turbulence following the party’s split in 2023.
Sharing personal reflections, Sule recounted advice from her mother that helped her remain resilient. On the question of a possible party merger, she avoided a direct answer but maintained that familial ties with Ajit Pawar remained intact. “Ajit Pawar and I are together as a family, always. Decisions about a party merger should be discussed at the table, not on camera,” she said. She also clarified that her faction had not demanded a special legislative session, countering recent speculation.
Despite the split and separate celebrations, both factions struck a tone of forward movement, with development and public welfare at the center of their speeches. The timing of the events, amid renewed speculation about reunification, further highlights the evolving dynamics between the two sides. While ideological differences remain, both Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule signaled openness to political recalibration, albeit in different ways.
As local body elections approach, the strategies adopted by the two groups and any movement toward reconciliation will be closely watched. With Ajit Pawar’s stress on inclusive governance and Supriya Sule’s appeal to emotional connect and perseverance, both factions appear committed to strengthening their ground in Maharashtra’s shifting political terrain.