3 min readMumbaiJul 15, 2026 12:22 AM IST
Political speculation over Sharad Pawar’s next move intensified late Tuesday after senior leaders from both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) held a closed door meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, just days after NCP (SP) leaders indicated that a section of the party favours joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Sources informed The Indian Express that NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil first met Sharad Pawar at his South Mumbai residence, Silver Oak, before heading to meet Fadnavis later in the evening. NCP leaders Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel, too, held a meeting with CM Fadnavis in the night.
The meetings come against the backdrop of a rethink within the NCP (SP) over the party’s political direction. Party sources told The Indian Express that at least half of its 10 MLAs favour joining the ruling NDA, arguing that remaining in the Opposition has made it difficult to secure development funds and administrative approvals for their constituencies.
Jayant Patil had recently conveyed this sentiment to party legislators, saying a significant section of the MLAs was inclined towards the NDA. Sharad Pawar, however, has so far remained silent on the issue and has not publicly indicated which way the party is headed.
Tuesday’s meetings are the latest in a series of political developments that have kept the possibility of a realignment alive. They also come a day after the ruling NCP received a legal notice from former national secretary Sachchidanand Singh challenging the election of party president Sunetra Pawar.
Neither the leaders who attended the meetings nor the Chief Minister’s Office commented on the discussions. Sources in both the ruling NCP and the NCP (SP) said they were not aware of the agenda.
Talk of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) politically reorienting itself gathered pace after six Lok Sabha MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, citing easier access to government approvals and development funds for their constituencies as one of the reasons for their decision. There were also indications that the party was weighing its options, including joining the BJP-led NDA or merging with the Congress.
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A bulk of the party’s leaders, however, have indicated that they would prefer to be on the ruling side.
Although the NCP (SP), with 10 MLAs in the Assembly and eight Lok Sabha MPs, is the smallest among Maharashtra’s six major political parties, its parliamentary strength has assumed significance at a time when the BJP-led NDA is looking to bolster its numbers ahead of key legislation, including the proposed delimitation Bill. Party leaders believe the NDA would be open to support from smaller parties such as the NCP (SP).
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