In a significant political development, estranged cousins and rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule shared a stage for the first time in nearly two-and-a-half years on Saturday. The occasion was the release of a joint manifesto for the upcoming Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation elections, signaling a tactical alliance despite the deep split within the party and the Pawar family.
A Cautious Alliance Amidst Speculation
The joint appearance has fueled intense speculation about a potential reunion of the two NCP factions. However, both leaders remained deliberately non-committal on the prospect of a full merger. When pressed by reporters, Ajit Pawar adopted a 'wait and watch' stance, refusing to give a definitive answer. The alliance is particularly notable because the two groups find themselves on opposite sides of the political aisle in both the Maharashtra state government and at the Centre. Ajit Pawar's NCP is part of the ruling coalitions, while Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP), led by Supriya Sule, sits in the opposition.
The formation of this local-level alliance has reportedly caused some disappointment among grassroots workers of both sides. Addressing these concerns, Supriya Sule acknowledged that some workers were unhappy but assured that they would not be abandoned. "When any alliance is formed, some party workers get disappointed. But we will not leave them on their own. On both sides of the alliance, our focus is on workers and not on the leaders," she stated.
Bonhomie on Display After Bitter Battles
The camaraderie at the manifesto event stood in stark contrast to the acrimony that has defined the relationship since the NCP split in July 2023. Following the rupture, the factions fiercely contested against each other in the 2024 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly elections. Furthermore, Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) has taken the rival faction to court, staking claim to the party's original name and its 'clock' election symbol.
When questioned about the logic of discussing unity while the legal battle continues, Ajit Pawar emphasized respect for the judiciary. "We respect the court's order and follow it. As far as the solution to the issue is concerned, Supriya and I will sit together and find it on our own; nobody else needs to bother about it," he explained, suggesting a behind-the-scenes dialogue between the cousins.
During the event, Ajit Pawar also playfully defended Supriya's relatively low-profile role in the Pune campaign. He revealed that she had asked him, as the elder cousin, to take the lead, promising to follow his direction. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is scheduled to vote on January 15, along with 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra.
Contrast with Shiv Sena's Stance
The talk of reconciliation within the NCP has inevitably drawn comparisons with Maharashtra's other major split—the Shiv Sena. Senior Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe, however, firmly ruled out any possibility of a reunion between the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).
Gorhe dismissed the speculation, pointing to the ongoing hostility from the rival camp. "How can the reunion talks even be possible when the other side is spitting venom every morning?" she questioned. She acknowledged that some members from both sides maintain personal interactions but stated that in the current climate of negative remarks, a political reunion is not in sight. The Shiv Sena split occurred in 2022, paving the way for Eknath Shinde to become Chief Minister with BJP's support, predating the NCP's division.
The coming together of the Pawar cousins for the crucial urban polls underscores the pragmatic nature of Maharashtra's politics, where local electoral calculations can temporarily bridge even the widest of internal gulfs. All eyes will now be on the January 15 polls and whether this tactical unity evolves into something more permanent.
