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Supriya Sule’s Reunification Call Could Redefine NCP and Maharashtra Politics
In what could become a turning point for Maharashtra’s political future, Supriya Sule is expected to announce her stance on the reunification of the Nationalist Congress Party’s two factions next week. Her decision, likely to be made public around June 10—the party’s foundation day—may have sweeping implications for political alliances across the state.
The 2023 Split: Pawar vs Pawar
The NCP split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar broke ranks with uncle Sharad Pawar and joined hands with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. This led to two distinct factions—Ajit Pawar’s group which was granted the original NCP symbol and name by the Election Commission, and the Sharad Pawar-led faction which adopted the name NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and a new symbol.
This internal division had a cascading effect on the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the larger INDIA bloc, where Sharad Pawar was considered a key strategist.
Recent Signs of Reconciliation
Tensions between the factions have gradually softened. A shared public appearance and closed-door meeting between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar reignited speculation of a possible reunification. Sharad Pawar has carefully deflected responsibility for the decision, placing the future of the party in the hands of the next generation—implicitly referring to Supriya Sule.
Currently touring abroad with an all-party delegation, Supriya Sule is expected to return by June 5 and take stock of the situation.
High-Stakes Implications
If reunification does occur, it could pave the way for the Sharad Pawar faction to join the NDA government in Maharashtra, dealing a critical blow to the MVA coalition comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP). Such a shift would not only alter the state’s power dynamics but also disrupt opposition coordination at the national level.
Observers believe that bringing both factions under one roof would boost the NCP’s electoral strength but could come at the cost of ideological consistency and strained alliances.
Awaiting the Decisive Word
Supriya Sule’s choice now carries weight not just within the party, but across Maharashtra’s entire political spectrum. As one of the few leaders with goodwill in both factions and respected across parties, her decision could shape the state’s coalition alignments for the 2024 assembly elections and beyond.
As the countdown to June 10 begins, Maharashtra’s political corridors are abuzz, waiting for Sule’s next move—a move that could either cement a united front or reaffirm the existing rift.
