NCP Celebrates 26th Foundation Day Amidst Leadership Divisions

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) marked its 26th foundation day on Tuesday, with separate events held by factions led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar in Pune. Despite ongoing speculation about a potential merger between the two factions, the atmosphere during the celebrations suggested that unity remains a distant goal. Recently, there have been several instances where Sharad and Ajit Pawar met privately and even appeared together publicly, yet it seems that significant differences still exist, hindering any rapprochement between the groups.

Ajit Pawar, who broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar to ally with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2023, addressed party supporters, defending his decision. He stated, "Merely sitting in opposition and shouting slogans is not enough. We are not saints; we are here to resolve public issues and engage in inclusive politics." He dismissed criticisms that joining forces with the BJP compromised the party's ideology, arguing, "Did we not ally with Shiv Sena in 2019? There were compromises then too."

He also pointed out that leaders like Andhra Pradesh's Chandrababu Naidu and West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee, known for their secular ideologies, had previously allied with the NDA. Ajit Pawar emphasized, "Our goal is clear—development and uplifting the marginalized." Acknowledging the poor performance of his faction in recent Lok Sabha elections, he called for introspection and improvement, urging party workers to prepare for upcoming local body elections. He indicated that alliances could be formed based on local dynamics and welcomed new faces in the party, stressing that responsibilities would only be given to those who prove themselves. "Divisive politics may yield short-term gains, but inclusive politics is the only sustainable path," he stated.

Sunil Tatkare, the state president of the NCP, clarified that joining the NDA was a collective decision aimed at 'people's welfare' and not solely Ajit Pawar's choice. He explained, "This was not a personal decision. Joining the NDA under Ajit Dada's leadership was a collective choice. There were several instances since 2014 when the party considered joining alliances, but decisions changed at the last moment." He reiterated that the party joined the NDA without compromising its secular ideology and the principles of leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

During the celebrations, Ajit Pawar refrained from making definitive statements about reuniting with Sharad Pawar's faction, noting that such decisions are made by top leadership rather than party workers or junior leaders.

Meanwhile, Supriya Sule from Sharad Pawar's faction led a separate event. When asked about a potential merger with Ajit Pawar's faction, she avoided a direct answer, stating that familial ties remain intact. She remarked, "Ajit Pawar and I will always stand together as family. Decisions about mergers should be made at the negotiation table, not in front of cameras." She also clarified that her faction has not demanded a special assembly session, contrary to recent speculations.

Sharad Pawar expressed that he never anticipated a split within the party. He commended party workers for their resilience in facing challenges, stating, "The party has encountered difficulties, but you have continued to advance without discouragement. We never expected a division, but it happened. Some aligned with different ideologies, which exacerbated the split. I do not wish to dwell on this now, but those loyal to the party have remained due to its ideology." He predicted a different outcome in the upcoming elections.

Pawar urged members not to focus on who has left or joined the party, emphasizing that unity and commitment to the public would help overcome any challenges. He highlighted that many party workers are dedicated to public service, representing the party's true strength. He stated, "Do not worry about power; if we remain united, power will come naturally. I can see this potential in the state." With municipal elections approaching in two to three months, he mentioned that party leadership would engage with representatives across districts to decide whether to contest independently or in alliance. He stressed the importance of providing opportunities for youth and ensuring women's participation in local elections, given the 50% reservation for them. He concluded that the NCP would work towards nurturing a new generation of leaders in the state.