Maharashtra: Sharad Pawar's 6 MPs, Several MLAs To Join NCP Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has claimed that 6 Members of Parliament (MPs) and several MLAs from Sharad Pawar's faction are considering joining them. This claim comes amid ongoing tensions between the two factions.

Jitendra Awhad, an MLA from NCP (SP), accused Sunil Tatkare, the state chief of Ajit Pawar's NCP, of urging MPs to abandon Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule. Tatkare dismissed these claims, suggesting they were attempts by NCP (SP) to maintain unity after their poor performance in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections.

Allegations and Denials

NCP (AP) spokesperson Suraj Chavhan countered allegations from Sharad Pawar's party, stating they were unfounded. "We don't need anyone," he said. "MLAs and MPs from Sharad Pawar's party are meeting Ajit Pawar. Soon all these MLAs and MPs are going to change sides and join us. We are not calling anyone but if anyone wants to join us then he is welcome."

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also alleged that senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Tatkare were tasked with orchestrating defections within the Sharad Pawar-led faction. These accusations highlight the ongoing political manoeuvring between the rival groups.

Political Dynamics

The Ajit-led NCP currently has only one Lok Sabha MP, Tatkare, while the opposing NCP (SP) holds eight Lok Sabha seats. Raut commented on this situation, stating that unless defections occur from Sharad Pawar's faction, the party will not secure any positions in the Union government.

Previously, leaders from NCP (SP) accused Ajit Pawar of attempting to sway MPs away from their faction. They claimed offers were made for MPs to leave Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule behind and join Ajit Pawar's group instead.