Maharashtra's political landscape may be on the verge of another major shift, with speculation intensifying over veteran leader Sharad Pawar allegedly opening communication channels with the BJP. However, according to sources, the BJP is not willing to induct the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) into the NDA as an independent ally. Instead, it wants the party to first reunite with the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP before joining the ruling alliance. The BJP has also ruled out the possibility of merging the NCP (SP) into its own ranks.
As an incentive, the BJP has reportedly indicated that if the two NCP factions reunite, each faction could be considered for one ministerial berth in the Union government at a later stage. Since the splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP, the BJP has established itself as Maharashtra's dominant political force and is believed to be cautious about adding the NCP (SP) as a separate ally, fearing it could unsettle existing NDA partners.
Potential parliamentary advantage
The reported developments come as the NCP (SP) has signalled a softer approach toward the proposed delimitation bill, which the Centre has linked to the implementation of the Women's Reservation Act. The constitutional amendment seeks to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to 850 seats.
For the BJP, bringing the NCP (SP) into the NDA would move the alliance closer to securing the two-thirds majority required to pass constitutional amendment bills. This assumes significance because the Modi government was unable to pass the delimitation bill during Parliament's special session in April.
The parliamentary equation has since changed. Twenty MPs from the Trinamool Congress have reportedly merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and extended support to the NDA. Additionally, six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena have joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The NCP (SP) currently has eight Lok Sabha MPs and one Rajya Sabha MP.
Despite the speculation, the party has not formally announced support for the NDA. Earlier this week, Supriya Sule, MP from Baramati, said that if the proposed delimitation involved a uniform 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states, there would be "little reason to oppose it."
Sule also dismissed rumours of her party joining the NDA, saying, "The media has been predicting my swearing-in and ministerial portfolio for the past 12 years."
On Saturday, Sharad Pawar further fuelled speculation by declining to directly address the reports, saying, "That's not the subject to talk about right now."
Meetings spark speculation
Talk of a possible political realignment gained momentum after Sharad Pawar recently met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The speculation intensified further after senior leaders from both NCP factions reportedly held late-night meetings with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier this week. Among those present was Jayant Patil from the NCP (SP).
Supriya Sule, however, clarified that Patil had sought an official appointment with Fadnavis to discuss action taken against one of the party's municipal council presidents.
The developments also drew attention from the Congress. Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram alleged that the BJP was attempting to secure support from both the NCP (SP) and the DMK for the proposed delimitation bill.
Internal tensions within the NCP
The reported possibility of the NCP (SP) joining the NDA has also created unease within the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP, according to sources.
The party has been witnessing growing internal tensions following the death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in January. A fresh power struggle has reportedly emerged over the selection of a candidate for a possible Union Cabinet berth. While a section of the party favours Parth Pawar, son of Ajit and Sunetra Pawar, Praful Patel and Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare have also emerged as contenders, highlighting continuing factional divisions within the party.
Whether Sharad Pawar ultimately aligns with the NDA and whether the two NCP factions reunite remains uncertain, with political observers closely watching the evolving situation.
