Ajit Pawar's NCP Rules Out Reunion With Sharad's Faction On Party's Foundation Day
Last Updated:
Ajit avoided commenting directly on a possible merger, saying such decisions are made by senior leaders
The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has dismissed any plans to reunite with the rival NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction as it marked its 26th foundation day on Tuesday.
The statement comes amid recent speculation about a possible merger between the two groups, which split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar, nephew of NCP co-founder Sharad Pawar, joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. Both factions celebrated the party's foundation day with separate events in Pune.
Sunil Tatkare, Maharashtra unit NCP chief, clarified that the decision to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2023 was a collective one, not solely Ajit Pawar's. 'It was for the welfare of the people," Tatkare said, adding that the party had considered aligning with the BJP-led NDA several times since 2014 but backed out at the last moment.
He stressed that the NCP, under Ajit Pawar's leadership, joined the NDA without abandoning its secular values or the ideologies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Shahu Maharaj.
'We joined the NDA without compromising on our secular ideology and the ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Shahu Maharaj," Tatkare stated.
Tatkare firmly rejected rumours of a reunion, stating, 'There is no such proposal."
Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, also avoided commenting directly on a possible merger, saying such decisions are made by senior leaders, not party workers. Defending his move to join the BJP-led government, he said, 'We're not saints who are happy just protesting in the opposition. We want to work for the people."
'Some people went with other ideologies, and this split widened. I do not want to talk about it today," Sule said. She credited the loyalty of her party's workers to its core ideology.
Sharad Pawar, speaking at his faction's event, urged supporters to stay united and focus on serving the public. 'Do not dwell on who has left or who has joined. If we stay united and remain committed to the common people, we will not face any problems," the veteran leader said.
First Published:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
38 minutes ago
- Hans India
A tightrope walk as debt burden weighs
Vijayawada: It has been a tightrope walk for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led National Democratic Alliance government in Andhra Pradesh, which is completing one year in office on Thursday (today), and its Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. Though the government under the leadership of Naidu initiated a slew of measures to boost economic growth and implemented welfare schemes, it had to work against all odds given the debt burden that weighed on the State. Naidu, who assumed charge as of AP Chief Minister for the fourth time on June 12, 2024, frequently said he started off with a millstone around his neck. He pointed out that the previous government had pushed the state back by 30 years, burdening it with Rs 10 lakh crore in debts and another Rs 1.2 lakh crore in unpaid bills. 'The annual interest alone stands at Rs 40,000 crore,' he remarked when the NDA government assumed office. Looking back, the Chief Minister said recently: 'Brick by brick, we are rebuilding the devastated state and in just one year, we have shown what good governance looks like by giving priority to both welfare and development.' Minister for Information and Public Relations K Parthasarathi told Hans India that the one-year period of the NDA government focused on both welfare and development. He said both Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and IT Minister Nara Lokesh aimed at wealth creation and uplift of the poor, simultaneously implementing welfare schemes. He said the coalition government had laid a solid foundation for the benefit of future generations. To begin with, the NDA government enhanced the old age pension to Rs 4,000 per month. Apart from that, it has been distributing pension amounts of Rs 6,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 to various categories of people including physically challenged. The state government is spending a whopping Rs 33,000 crore a year on pensions to 64 lakh people. No other state government pays such high pension amounts in the country. In addition, under Deepam 2, the NDA government is giving three free LPG cylinders per year to women. Besides, the state government revived 73 central schemes, though the previous government had diverted central funds, resulting in AP being blacklisted. The NDA government is now planning to provide free solar rooftops to 20 lakh SC/ST houses under PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Upon taking office, the NDA govt repealed the Land Titling Act that had removed protection for people's lands and introduced a new Anti-Land Grabbing Act. With the Centre's support, the state government put the much-awaited Polavaram Project back on track. The project will now be completed by December 2027.
The Wire
an hour ago
- The Wire
What Happens When Opposition Parties Subscribe to Hindutva?
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Politics What Happens When Opposition Parties Subscribe to Hindutva? Suman Nath 6 minutes ago Their strategies risk diluting ideological clarity and alienating minorities, and underscore the enduring tension between electoral pragmatism and ideological purity in an RSS-BJP-dominated political landscape. From left, Arvind Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi. Photos: Official X accounts. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has profoundly influenced India's public sphere by integrating marginalised communities into its Hindutva narrative. This is not merely an electoral strategy but a long-term social reconstruction project. Far from being static, the RSS employs technology and a language of inclusivity, compelling opposition leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, and Rahul Gandhi to adopt elements of Hindutva to suit regional, electoral, and ideological needs, while balancing their secular credentials. Mamata Banerjee Mamata Banerjee, leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), practices a 'soft Hindutva' to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) aggressive Hindu nationalism while preserving her secular image. Her approach is rooted in Bengali cultural identity, particularly through prioritising and promoting Durga Puja by funding clubs, organising a carnival, and substantially supporting local fairs and festivals – positioning her as a defender of Bengali culture in contrast to the 'outsider' narrative spun against the BJP. During the 2021 West Bengal elections, she recited the Chandi Path, visited temples, and patronised lesser-known festivals to gain grassroots legitimacy. Unlike the BJP's confrontational Hindutva, Mamata blends Hindu symbolism with secular rhetoric, visiting both temples and mosques to avoid alienating minority voters. She countered the BJP's 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans by emphasising Bengal's Durga worship tradition, even linking it to the deity Ram. After the 2019 Lok Sabha election losses, the TMC organised Brahmin meets, announced allowances to Sanatan Brahmins, and continued supporting Durga Puja committees, all to appeal to Hindu voters, without alienating her Muslim base, for whom she announced a stipend for Imams. This strategic balancing act helped neutralise the BJP's claim that she leans towards Muslims, and contributed to TMC's decisive 2021 victory. The construction of the Jagannath temple in Digha, located in opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari's stronghold, further exemplifies her culturally diverse and inclusive Hindutva. Critics, including BJP leaders, call this 'adulterated' Hindutva, and her approach risks alienating Muslim voters – though her inclusive rhetoric has largely mitigated this. Arvind Kejriwal Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has adopted soft Hindutva since 2019 to expand beyond the party's anti-corruption and governance roots, aiming to neutralise the BJP's monopoly over Hindu voters while maintaining a secular image. His public displays of Hindu devotion include reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, visiting temples, and describing himself as a ' Hanuman bhakt.' AAP's schemes – such as free pilgrimages to Ayodhya for seniors and plans to make Uttarakhand a 'global spiritual capital ' – align with Hindu sentiments but lack the BJP's aggressive rhetoric. Kejriwal avoids anti-minority messaging, emphasising constitutional values in AAP's manifestos to solidify his position as an opposition figure. This shift became more pronounced after AAP's defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. Kejriwal's use of Hindu symbolism contributed to AAP regaining ground in the 2020 Delhi assembly elections, decisively defeating the BJP. In states like Gujarat and Punjab, his soft Hindutva, combined with promises of free electricity and education, expanded AAP's footprint, though the party's organisational strength remains limited. Critics note that Kejriwal's silence on issues like the Citizenship Amendment Act has alienated Muslim voters and compromises AAP's secular ethos. The 2025 Delhi result perhaps reflects the cost of this gamble: the BJP, along with the NDA, won 48 seats, and AAP was reduced to 22. His approach lacks the ideological depth of the BJP's Hindutva or the cultural rootedness of Mamata's strategy, reflecting political opportunism more than conviction. Uddhav Thackeray The Shiv Sena, a regional party in Maharashtra, has historically embraced a hardline Hindutva distinct from the BJP's nationalistic version. Under Bal Thackeray, the party was aggressively anti-Muslim and tied to Marathi identity, notably during the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition. Under Uddhav Thackeray, the party has moderated its stance, aligning with secular parties in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition since 2019. Uddhav's 'inclusive Hindutva' focuses on Marathi pride and Maharashtra-specific Hindu traditions, such as Vitthal worship, rather than anti-minority polarisation. This localised Hindutva, however, is less adaptable outside Maharashtra. The 2019 split, when Eknath Shinde's faction aligned with the BJP, weakened Uddhav's Shiv Sena (UBT). The party now balances its Hindu voter base with its secular allies, diluting its Hindutva narrative. Electoral losses in 2024 and 2025 have forced it to rely more heavily on coalition partners, tempering its rhetoric. Secular allies like the Congress criticise Shiv Sena's Hindutva legacy, while the BJP and Shinde's faction accuse Uddhav of betraying Hindutva, highlighting the party's pragmatic oscillation between hardline and moderate stances. Rahul Gandhi Many feel that Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader long associated with secularism, adopted soft Hindutva during the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections to counter the BJP's dominance. His temple visits, including to Somnath and Dwarkadhish, and public display of his janeu emphasised his Hindu identity, marking a departure from Congress's minority-focused secularism. This approach aimed to appeal to Gujarat's Hindu majority while also addressing economic concerns such as GST and demonetisation. Rahul balanced this with outreach to Dalits, tribals, and Muslims, maintaining inclusivity. His opposition to the RSS-BJP's divisive Hindutva remained firm, positioning Congress as a defender of constitutional secularism. This tactical pivot improved Congress's performance, yielding 77 seats in 2017 (up from 60 in 2012), though it still fell short of defeating the BJP. After 2017, Rahul reverted to more conventional secular rhetoric, focusing on economic and social justice during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, indicating that his soft Hindutva stance was context-specific. The strategies of Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, and Rahul Gandhi reflect the complex interplay between Hindutva and secularism in Indian politics. As the RSS reshapes the public sphere with its adaptive Hindutva, opposition leaders strategically adopt Hindu symbolism to counter the BJP's nationalist narrative. Mamata's culturally rooted approach secured her 2021 victory; Kejriwal's pragmatism aided AAP's 2020 success in Delhi; Uddhav's moderated Hindutva reflects coalition imperatives; and Rahul's tactical temple visits improved Congress's 2017 performance in Gujarat. These strategies risk diluting ideological clarity and alienating minorities, yet they underscore the enduring tension between electoral pragmatism and ideological purity in an RSS-BJP-dominated political landscape. Suman Nath is a political anthropologist and teaches anthropology at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Government College, Kolkata. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Rahul Gandhi Points to 'Industrial-Scale Rigging', Alleges EC Role in Maharashtra Assembly Polls Are Election Malpractices Undermining India's Claims of Being 'the World's Biggest Democracy'? 'Narendra … Surrender': Rahul Gandhi in Swipe at Modi on Trump's Claims of Mediating Ceasefire Beyond the Ballot: Institutional Integrity in the Shadow of Executive Overreach Karnataka Government Plans to Conduct Caste Census All Over Again Mamata Accuses Modi of 'Political Holi' with Op Sindoor, Asks 'Why Not Give Sindoor to Your Mrs?' Four Times Narendra Modi Showed That Criticising the Union Government on National Security is Okay 'Prove it': Rahul Gandhi Doubles Down on Rigging Allegations After ECI's Unsigned Rebuttal 'Only Saying What Trump Has Said 11 Times', Says Rahul As He Repeats Claim of Modi's 'Surrender' About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Enemies of Telangana': Revanth Reddy hits out at KCR family amid chaos over Kaleshwaram project
Amid ruckus over the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack against the family of former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, accusing them of being the "true enemies" of the state. The CM said that he would present detailed facts and documents related to the Kaleshwaram Project within two days. He also ruled out the possibility of anyone from the KCR family being inducted into the Congress. "As long as I am in power, there will be no entry for KCR's family into Congress," Reddy said. He further accused Union Minister G Kishan Reddy of obstructing Telangana's development, calling him "the biggest hurdle to the state's progress." "Kishan Reddy is the biggest hurdle to Telangana's progress," Revanth Reddy said. Speaking about BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha's letter to her father, KCR, the Telangana CM labelled it a "film-style drama" for attention. Earlier, Kavitha took potshots at the leaders of her party. Without naming anyone, she said that when her father, KCR, received notices in relation to the Kaleshwaram probe, no plan of action was set up. "When KCR is given notices, there is no action plan. Instead of teaching me, tell me what is your action plan. Twitter tweets are not enough. Shouldn't we be on the ground?" Kavitha said, adding, "During the Delhi liquor policy, when I went to KCR and wanted to resign, he said that they can't face me, and that's why the case has been filed against you." The BRS MLC further criticised people in her party, labelling them "converts." "Is it okay to say there are converts? Coverts should be controlled, and KCR should be protected," Kavitha said, adding, "If BRS is weak, BJP and Congress will become strong." Meanwhile, KCR on Wednesday appeared before the PC Ghosh Commission in connection with alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project. Heavy police deployment was witnessed at Hyderabad's BRK Bhavan ahead of his appearance. Previously, BRS MLA and former Irrigation Minister Harish Rao and BJP MP Etela Rajender, who previously served as Finance Minister in the BRS government, appeared before the commission. Justice PC Ghose Commission on Tuesday issued summons to former Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), former Minister Harish Rao, and BJP MP Etela Rajender, who also served as a minister during the BRS regime, in the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). The Commission, which has been probing financial and procedural lapses in the multi-crore irrigation project, directed the three political leaders to appear for questioning in the first week of June.
