Political circles in Maharashtra are abuzz with claims that a significant number of Lok Sabha MPs from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) are in contact with the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Senior NCP leader and former minister Dharmarao Baba Atram has asserted that approximately five of the eight Lok Sabha MPs from the Sharad Pawar faction are in communication with leaders of the rival faction, suggesting that major political developments could unfold in the coming months.
Speculation Intensifies Amid Shifting Alliances
These assertions come at a time when Maharashtra’s political landscape is experiencing considerable flux, with frequent speculation surrounding potential defections and realignments of alliances ahead of upcoming political contests at both state and national levels. If such a shift were to materialize, it could potentially meet the two-thirds majority requirement necessary to avoid disqualification under anti-defection laws.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Sharad Pawar faction currently holds eight seats in the Lok Sabha. The ongoing speculation follows similar reports concerning the Shiv Sena (UBT), where a number of MPs are reportedly contemplating a switch to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Despite the heightened speculation, neither the Sharad Pawar faction nor the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has officially confirmed any impending split or provided formal statements regarding the claims of MPs preparing to switch sides.
Internal Rebuttals and Political Maneuvering
However, the claims made by Dharmarao Atram have been met with strong rebuttals from leaders within the Sharad Pawar faction. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar dismissed the possibility, stating, “There is no question of our MPs going anywhere. I don’t see that happening as it won’t be as easy as it sounds to many.” Madha MP Dhairyasheel Mohite-Patil also rubbished the assertion, confidently stating, “The only thing I can say is that, the claim will never turn out to be true.” Party leaders have pointed out that Atram’s own daughter is associated with the NCP (SP), further questioning the veracity of his claims.
The political maneuvering and claims of contact are occurring against the backdrop of a recent political setback for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Reports indicate that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP secured only 10 seats, a decline from its performance in the Lok Sabha elections where it had a better strike rate and led in several constituencies. This electoral performance has fueled discussions about the future political strategies and alliances of the constituent parties.
Broader Political Context in Maharashtra
The speculation about potential defections within the NCP mirrors a similar situation within the Shiv Sena (UBT), where six MPs have reportedly communicated with the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking recognition as a separate group. These developments are reviving memories of the significant political shifts that reshaped Maharashtra’s political landscape in 2022. The current climate suggests a period of intense political negotiation and strategic positioning among the state’s major political players.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) itself underwent a significant split in July 2023, leading to two factions: one led by Sharad Pawar and the other by Ajit Pawar. The Election Commission of India subsequently recognized the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the official NCP, allotting it the party’s name and symbol. The split triggered legal disputes, and the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker declared Ajit Pawar’s group as the official NCP, citing its majority in the legislature. The reasons behind the 2023 split were attributed to differing views on aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Amidst these internal party dynamics, senior NCP leader Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, the state chief of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, have been reportedly assigned the task of encouraging defections from the Sharad Pawar faction. Currently, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has one Lok Sabha MP, while the Sharad Pawar faction has eight Lok Sabha members. The Ajit Pawar-led party is part of the BJP-led ruling coalition in Maharashtra and performed strongly in the recent assembly elections.
The Chenab Times News Desk