No word on merger of NCP and NCP (SP) on 26th foundation day in Pune

Both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, referred to the June-July 2023 split when the latter broke ranks from the Maha Vikas Aghadi-I.N.D.I.A. opposition bloc and joined the BJP-led MahaYuti-NDA.

Mumbai: After nearly two months of murmurs of the NCP and NCP (SP) merging in the run up to the Maharashtra local bodies elections, there was no guidance from the top leadership of the two warring factions during their parallel 26th foundation day events in Pune - the home district of the Pawar-family.

While Ajit Pawar, who is the state Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President, addressed party colleagues at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and Working President Supriya Sule addressed supporters at the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in Shivajinagar.

As far as the local bodies elections are concerned, the party high-commands have left it for the local units to take a call.

Incidentally both Sharad Pawar who is known as 'Saheb' and Ajit Pawar who is fondly called 'Dada', referred to the June-July 2023 split when the latter broke ranks from the Maha Vikas Aghadi-I.N.D.I.A. opposition bloc and joined the BJP-led MahaYuti-NDA.

“A split occurred in the party. We never thought that a split would take place in the party, but it happened. Some people went with other ideologies, and this split widened…those who remained loyal to the party, it was because of our party's ideology,” Sharad Pawar said, virtually ruling out any sort of merger.

"The party faced some challenges, but you, without getting discouraged, continue to take the party ahead. Don't worry about power. If we remain united, power will follow. I can see that possibility emerging in the state. A different picture will prevail in the coming elections,” said Sharad Pawar, a four-time Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Even his nephew sent out a similar message.

“Couple of years ago, we had to make a decision…we are not sadhu-sant being in politics…we wanted to ensure that people’s issues were addressed,” Ajit Pawar said justifying the switchover.