Recent political developments have once again revived the buzz around the possibility of two rival factions of Maharashtra’s Nationalist Congress Party coming together to consolidate the party’s political fortunes and clout
NCP (Sharad chandra Pawar) working president Supriya Sule on Tuesday avoided a direct response on the issue at celebrations to mark the 26th foundation day of the party saying that she was busy with other responsibilities and had no time to discuss party affairs.
On whether she was remembering “dada” (rival NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar) and would call him to wish on the party’s foundation day, the Baramati MP said she has six brothers and she remembers them every day.
Founded by Sharad Pawar, the NCP split in July 2023 after nephew Ajit Pawar jumped ship to join Maharashtra’s NDA government comprising Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and BJP. He also managed to walk away with the party name and clock symbol. The faction headed by Sharad Parar is now called NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
The buzz about growing “closeness” between the NCP patriarch and his estranged nephew, who is a part of the BJP-led NDA in Maharashtra, intensified after Sule’s inclusion in multi-party delegations sent to foreign countries to convey India’s stand following Operation Sindoor.
Supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharad Pawar and Sule also stayed away from opposition’s demand for a Special Session of Parliament on Operation Sindoor.
Sharad Pawar had earlier said the Special Session of Parliament may not be appropriate. “I am not against calling a Special Session of Parliament… but this is a sensitive and serious issue and discussing such a serious issue is not possible in Parliament… In such a situation, it is necessary to keep the information confidential for national interest,” he said.
Sule said the Congress approached her to join the demand but she refused saying that it was a time to be united and not play “petty politics”.
Mounting pressure on the Modi government, leaders of 16 opposition parties last week demanded a special session of Parliament on Operation Sindoor.
