Sharad Pawar’s silence has split the NCP (SP) as more than half of its MLAs lean toward joining the BJP‑led NDA, while pressure mounts to stay in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The party’s future direction now hangs in the balance of political and developmental calculations.

Key Takeaways

  • Growing internal split as NCP (SP) MLAs favor an NDA alliance.
  • Pawar’s silence leaves the party without a clear strategic direction.
  • The stability of the MVA hinges on the upcoming decision.

In Maharashtra’s volatile political climate, senior leader Sharad Pawar faces mounting pressure from within his own Nationalist Congress Party (Special) (NCP‑SP). At least five of the party’s ten MLAs have signaled a preference for aligning with the BJP‑led NDA, citing easier access to development funds and faster administrative clearances for their constituencies.

Internal Party Tensions

Despite speculation, Pawar has not convened a formal meeting to address the coalition dilemma. His daughter, Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, has refrained from ruling either way, while senior leader Jayant Patil disclosed that roughly half of the party’s legislators are leaning toward the ruling alliance, deepening the internal rift.

Impact on the Maha Vikas Aghadi

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), formed in 2019 by an unlikely alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP‑SP, now risks losing its numerical strength ahead of crucial legislation such as the proposed delimitation bill. A potential NCP‑SP shift to the NDA could tip the balance of power in the state assembly, jeopardising the opposition bloc’s ability to influence key policy decisions.

Recent Meetings and Reactions

Pawar’s unscheduled visit to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office sparked outrage among Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut condemned the meeting, arguing that holding talks under the “roof of a traitor” undermines a senior leader’s credibility. Subsequent meetings between NCP (SP) leaders and BJP figures, including Vinod Tawde and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, have only fueled speculation.

Future Trajectory

The BJP is actively courting smaller parties to bolster its numbers, while the Congress has advised against a formal merger with NCP (SP), preferring individual defections instead. Until Pawar articulates a definitive stance, the party’s fate—and the broader stability of Maharashtra’s opposition coalition—remains uncertain.