In a significant development in Maharashtra politics, Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is reportedly facing internal unrest, just months after aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Senior leaders within the party, including some MLAs, are believed to be reconsidering their support due to increasing dissatisfaction with the alliance’s functioning and the perceived dilution of the party’s identity.
Sources close to the matter suggest that the growing resentment stems from key decisions being taken without adequate consultation with NCP leaders. Many feel sidelined, especially after critical ministerial portfolios were allocated to BJP leaders, leaving the NCP with less influence than anticipated. While Ajit Pawar had hoped that the alliance would bring greater stability and power-sharing, the reality appears to be different on the ground, leading to quiet murmurings of rebellion within the ranks.
This unrest comes at a crucial time when Maharashtra is gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections. Any crack within the NCP could severely impact the opposition’s chances and may tilt the balance further in favor of the BJP. Political analysts believe that if Ajit Pawar fails to address the internal crisis soon, it could lead to a possible split or defections, echoing the earlier split from Sharad Pawar’s faction.
For now, Ajit Pawar has downplayed the situation, calling it “routine political noise,” but insiders confirm that closed-door meetings have intensified in recent days, with efforts being made to placate dissatisfied leaders. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar’s camp is closely watching the situation, possibly hoping to regain some lost ground if defections occur.
This internal tension has once again highlighted the fragile nature of political alliances in Indian state politics and the balancing act leaders must perform to keep their coalitions intact.