'If someone aligns with BJP for power ...': Sharad Pawar's veiled swipe at Ajit deflates NCP merger buzz

Sharad Pawar Breaks Silence Amid Buzz

Veteran politician and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar issued a sharply-worded statement that appeared to target his nephew Ajit Pawar and his faction’s decision to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The remark — “If someone aligns with the BJP for power, it’s their choice” — was delivered in his characteristic cryptic tone, but political analysts say it squarely lands at Ajit’s feet. The comment has poured cold water on the growing speculation of a full-scale merger between the BJP and the NCP’s rebel faction.

Background: A Party Split in Two Directions

The NCP split in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar led a group of MLAs to ally with the BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) government in Maharashtra. He assumed the position of Deputy Chief Minister while claiming legitimacy over the party’s name and symbol — a matter still pending before the Election Commission.

Though both factions of the NCP have since coexisted with clear differences in ideology, whispers of an imminent merger were rekindled this week after a series of closed-door meetings between key leaders from Ajit’s camp and senior BJP figures. The possible merger was seen as a way to consolidate the ruling coalition’s strength ahead of the crucial 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections.

Sharad Pawar’s Strategic Message

Speaking at a party workers' meeting in Pune, Sharad Pawar said, “Those who align with BJP for the sake of power are doing so not out of ideology, but convenience. We have built our party on values and principles.” Though he stopped short of naming Ajit Pawar directly, the reference left little room for ambiguity.

This statement served dual purposes — first, to reaffirm the ideological distinction between the original NCP and the breakaway group; and second, to rally loyalists ahead of upcoming electoral battles. Pawar added, “This party will never compromise on its values. We are with the people and will continue to fight for them, regardless of the political climate.”

Analyst Take: “Pawar Playing the Long Game”

Political strategist and commentator Dr. Anjali Deshmukh told FinIndia Today, “Sharad Pawar is consolidating his position within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, keeping his secular and anti-BJP image intact. His latest remarks are a calibrated strategy to prevent confusion among voters.”

Deshmukh added, “The BJP may be using merger rumours to disorient the opposition ahead of the elections, but Pawar’s message clarifies that there are no plans to reconcile with Ajit’s decision.”

Ajit Pawar Camp Silent, BJP Noncommittal

Ajit Pawar has not directly responded to the elder Pawar’s remarks. His aides maintain that their focus remains on “governance and development.” When pressed on the possibility of a full merger with the BJP, NCP (Ajit faction) leader Chhagan Bhujbal said, “No such decision has been taken yet.”

The BJP leadership has been equally cautious. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “The NDA is always open to like-minded people who support development. Any further decisions will be taken at the appropriate time.”

Maha Vikas Aghadi Gaining Ground?

Pawar’s timely assertion is also being interpreted as an attempt to stabilize the MVA alliance, which includes the Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction). With Lok Sabha elections out of the way, the MVA is regrouping for the state elections due later this year.

Sources indicate that joint rallies, coordinated social media strategies, and candidate seat-sharing talks have already begun under Pawar’s oversight. “This statement was not just a jab at Ajit but also a morale booster for MVA cadres,” said MVA coordinator Sachin Sawant.

Investor and Market Outlook: Stability Over Surprises

From an investor’s standpoint, political stability is a critical factor for market confidence in a state as industrially significant as Maharashtra. Recent merger talks had introduced a degree of uncertainty regarding policy continuity, especially in infrastructure and agriculture sectors where both NCP factions hold influence.

Market analyst Rohit Shah of Motilal Oswal Financial Services notes, “If the senior Pawar is drawing a clear line between his faction and Ajit’s, it reduces the uncertainty around coalition dynamics. For businesses and investors, that clarity is reassuring. However, if the BJP-NCP (Ajit) alliance strengthens, it could consolidate administrative efficiency — which markets generally favour.”

A Deliberate Distance Maintained

Sharad Pawar’s veiled swipe has effectively doused the flames of NCP-BJP merger speculation, at least for now. It reiterates the ideological divide and solidifies his leadership in the anti-BJP front. As Maharashtra inches closer to its next political showdown, this statement could be the pivot around which electoral strategies — and alliances — are redrawn.

For voters and political watchers alike, the message is clear: Sharad Pawar remains steadfast in his opposition to BJP politics, and any suggestion to the contrary is, at best, speculative fiction.