'Our Party Is Fundamentally Democratic': NCP-SP's Anish Gawande After Sharad Pawar Hints At Merger With Ajit Pawar-Led Faction
“Our party is fundamentally democratic. Every party worker, from a karyakarta to a senior leader, has the right to express their opinion on what the future course of action should be,” NCP-SP national spokesperson Anish Gawande told The Free Press Journal on Friday, when asked for a comment after his party chief Sharad Pawar hinted at the possibility of a merger with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
Gawande added, “Pawar Saheb, Supriya Tai and Jayant Patil Saheb have consistently reiterated that their doors are open to anyone who wants to share their thoughts on how the party should rebuild itself after the Vidhan Sabha elections. I am certain that they will take all these opinions into account before arriving at a decision.”
I am out of the decision-making process: Sharad Pawar
Earlier on Thursday, Sharad Pawar stirred the political pot after stating that his daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule would decide on any potential reunion, as he is now “out of the decision-making process.”
The veteran leader also said that both factions continue to share the same ideology. “In our party, some leaders believe that if development works in their constituencies are to be implemented, they should join Ajit Pawar’s party. However, some believe we should not reunite. Our leaders are divided into two parties, but we continue to follow the same ideology,” he said.
I feel we should unite: Rohit Pawar
After the former Union minister's comment, leaders from both the NCP factions shared their views. NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar, who is also Sharad Pawar's grandnephew, said he feels the two factions should come together. “As a family, I feel we should unite. A united family always presents a strong picture. When it comes to two parties coming together, I think the decision should be taken by the top leaders of both parties," he said.
'If it happens, grassroots workers will be able to work cohesively'
NCP-SP MLA Uttam Jankar, who represents the Malshiras Assembly constituency in Solapur district, said he and three other MLAs from the region have conveyed their view to Sharad Pawar. "We four MLAs from Solapur have discussed the matter with Jayant Patil, and he has conveyed our views to Pawar Saheb. Our collective view is that the two factions should come together and be part of the ruling (BJP-led) alliance. Be it MLAs or MPs, we have been presenting our stand," Jankar said. "If it happens, grassroots workers will be able to work cohesively. The reunion will be welcomed, and it will strengthen the party," he added.
'We will discuss it in our core group'
On the other hand, Sunil Tatkare, the state president of Ajit Pawar's NCP, said if any such proposal comes to them, the party’s core group will discuss it. “I have heard the statement of Sharad Pawar regarding the two NCP factions coming together. He is our senior, and we respect his views. If we get any such proposal from his party, we will discuss it in our core group,” Tatkare said.
The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar and MLAs loyal to him walked away to join the ruling alliance of the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. During last year's Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, both factions not only fielded candidates against each other but also engaged in a fierce poll campaign, making personal remarks against one another.
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