NCP Split Deepens as Sharad and Ajit Pawar Factions Mark 26th Foundation Day Separately Amid Merger Rumours

The 26th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on June 10, 2025, highlighted the ongoing divide between the factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, as both leaders held separate celebratory events in Pune. Despite speculation of a possible merger, both camps ruled out any reconciliation, reinforcing their political independence ahead of upcoming civic polls in Maharashtra.

Sharad Pawar, addressing party workers at Balgandharva Rangmandir, emotionally acknowledged the 2023 split when Ajit Pawar aligned with the BJP-led NDA. He urged loyal supporters not to dwell on those who had left, but to focus on strengthening the party at the grassroots level. Pawar emphasized the importance of bringing in new leaders, especially women and youth, to rejuvenate the party. He also indirectly criticized India’s current foreign policy, suggesting it deviated from Nehruvian principles of inclusivity and secularism. Party state president Jayant Patil offered to resign to make way for younger leadership, but Sharad Pawar deferred a decision on the matter, stating it would be discussed collectively.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, who serves as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, held a separate program at Balewadi, where he defended his faction’s decision to join the BJP-led government. He stated that remaining in opposition would not allow the party to meet public expectations. Ajit Pawar downplayed any ethical conflict, recalling NCP’s 2019 alliance with Shiv Sena as an example of flexible political alignments. He firmly denied any ongoing discussions of reuniting with Sharad Pawar’s group, stressing that only top leadership could take such decisions.

Both factions used the occasion to rally their respective bases, with Ajit Pawar’s side focusing on governance and Sharad Pawar’s on party revival. As the Maharashtra civic elections approach, both sides are preparing independently, selecting candidates and strategizing at the local level—signaling a deepening divide rather than any imminent merger.