Once again, a section within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) appears to be vacillating on the question of whether to stick to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in Maharashtra that its founder and president Sharad Pawar forged, or to jump ship and ally with the BJP for an immediate taste of power. Ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the issue has divided the party down the middle.
While Sharad Pawar appears firm on retaining his “secular identity” and “national leadership” stature, second-rung NCP leaders, apparently led by his nephew Ajit Pawar, increasingly appear anxious to keep their option of going with the BJP open, believing that the party is here to stay in the state and country.
A senior NCP leader and MLA, requesting anonymity, said, “In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. If the situation demands, anything is possible. But the final decision will rest with Pawar Senior.”
While most of the 10-odd NCP MLAs (it has 54 in total) across the state that The Indian Express spoke with were confident Ajit Pawar would not break away from the NCP or the MVA, there were some who added that they would simply follow what Ajit says. Some, on condition of anonymity, said that going with the BJP may not be a bad option in the long run.
State BJP president Chadrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said, “We have embarked on a massive outreach plan across one lakh booths, where workers across the political spectrum are making a beeline to join the BJP.”
When specifically asked about Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Ajit Pawar’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bawankule said, “I’m not aware.” When asked if the BJP would welcome Ajit Pawar in the party, Bawankule said, “Anybody who is willing to accept the BJP and its ideology will be welcomed.”
Last week’s Election Commission decision to take away the NCP’s national party status has further given reasons to the pro-BJP camp within the party to push their agenda. Speaking about an earlier meeting between Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, held at the former’s residence, Silver Oak, insiders said, “There were apprehensions voiced by both top leaders about discontent within their respective parties.”
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The sources also said, “Thackeray told Pawar that he was well aware of the black sheep in his party, and that he has already discounted them from any future planning.” In response, Pawar Senior apparently indicated that if anybody in his party wanted to look for alternatives, he would not stop them.
Many within the NCP believe the exchange was a pointer that the NCP might not be averse to keeping its options with the BJP open-ended. It is no secret that Ajit Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis share a cordial relationship. Once bitter enemies, they reconciled their differences after the 2019 Assembly elections and even went on to form a coalition government, though it lasted only 80 hours.
The political managers in the NCP said, “In the aftermath of probes by central agencies, coupled with uncertainty within the MVA, at least 15 MLAs close to Ajit Pawar believe the BJP would be the best option.” The unrest within the NCP also stems from its inability to accept Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership within the MVA.
In a TV interview last week, Fadnavis had said, “Some opposition MLAs are in touch with us.” Though he refused to divulge the details, similar sentiments have been echoed by the Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde. State Industries Minister Uday Samant in fact said, “At least 25 opposition MLAs want to switch sides,” prompting former Shiv Sena leader Shivtare to go public, claiming, “Ajit Pawar will soon join the BJP.”
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A series of developments in the state over the past couple of months indicate that the BJP and the NCP have been mending fences. Senior NCP leader and former Union minister Praful Patel was seen sharing a dais with Fadnavis in Vidarbha. Later, Sharad Pawar and former state home minister Anil Deshmukh of the NCP visited Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari’s residence in Nagpur.
The differences that emerged within the MVA following Sharad Pawar’s remarks on Gautam Adani, in which he opposed a JPC and advocated a Supreme Court recommended committee to probe charges of corruption against the business tycoon, were telling. It was followed by Ajit Pawar defending PM Narendra Modi on the degree certificate row.
After the 2014 general elections, the NCP had suo moto supported the BJP.
With apprehensions swirling around, many faithful are hoping their party remains intact.
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Sunil Tingre, the MLA from Vadgaonsheri Assembly seat in Pune city, said, “I don’t believe Ajit dada will join hands with the BJP. This seems to be a BJP conspiracy to tarnish the image of our leader.”
Another MLA, Shekhar Nikam from Chiplun in Ratnagiri district, also voiced a similar opinion. “I am 100 percent confident that Ajit-dada will not join hands with the BJP. When Ajit Pawar himself won’t leave the NCP, there is no reason for me to say whether I would be following him.”
Yeshwant Mane, the MLA from Mohol in Solapur, said while he has not been in touch with Ajit Pawar over the last 15 days, “I have no doubt he would not jump sides. The MVA is united and Ajit dada himself clarified yesterday that he will remain with the NCP.”
Similarly, Rajesh Patil, the MLA from Chandgad in Kolhapur, also said he doesn’t feel Ajit Pawar will exit the MVA. “If he has to do so, he will consult our party chief.”
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While many NCP legislators may feel that the MVA is going strong, the BJP believes the opposite. A state BJP vice-president said, “An alliance with the NCP would help us dent the grand Opposition unity, both at the Centre and the state. It could also help us make inroads into the sugar belt of western Maharashtra.”
