The 27th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on June 10 was observed by both factions of the party, but without the presence of its founder, Sharad Pawar. The occasion underscored the deep division within the party, which has been split between supporters of Sharad Pawar and those loyal to his nephew, the late Ajit Pawar.
Separate Events Mark the Anniversary
Sharad Pawar's faction held a low-key event in Mumbai, with party workers paying tribute to the party's symbol and recalling its founding principles. In contrast, the Ajit Pawar faction organized a larger gathering in Pune, where leaders pledged to continue the legacy of the late deputy chief minister. Ajit Pawar's sudden demise in a plane crash on January 28 had dramatically altered political equations in Maharashtra, leaving both factions grappling with the leadership vacuum.
Political Implications
The split in the NCP, which was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999 after his expulsion from the Congress party, has reshaped Maharashtra's political landscape. The Ajit Pawar faction, which controls a majority of the party's legislators, has aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena (Shinde group) in the state government. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar's faction remains part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).
Legacy and Future
Political analysts note that the absence of both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar from the anniversary events highlighted the uncertain future of the party. While Sharad Pawar, now in his 80s, has stepped back from active politics, his faction lacks a clear successor. On the other hand, the Ajit Pawar faction, led by his wife and other family members, is struggling to consolidate its position. The 27th anniversary thus became a symbolic reminder of the party's fractured legacy and the challenges ahead.
