A meeting between Sharad Pawar and five Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Ajit Pawar?s NCP faction during the ongoing monsoon assembly session in Mumbai has sparked speculation about a possible return to Sharad Pawar?s fold. The meetings, which took place at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai, have created a buzz among political circles.
According to a top NCP leader, Ajit Pawar has opened lines of communication with all five MLAs to persuade them to remain with him. Although none of the MLAs were available for comment, their identities are known to leaders from both sides, as the meetings were held in public view.
Three of the MLAs?one from Satara district, another from Pune district, and a third from Ahmednagar district?met with state NCP (Sharad Chandra Pawar) president Jayant Patil last week at Vidhan Bhavan. This public meeting surprised party activists from both camps, given its timing during the assembly session.
In addition, two other MLAs, including one from Nashik district, had discussions with Jayant Patil at other locations.
Speaking to the media in Pune on Saturday, NCP founder Sharad Pawar said, ?I am aware that many leaders from other parties have met our state party president in Mumbai. I am in touch with him about this. All I can say is that we are open to taking back certain leaders or public representatives. We have not put a ban on all those who left but will take a call on a case-by-case basis.?
Last week, former MP Suryakanta Patil, who had left the NCP to join the BJP in 2014, returned to the NCP. At a media conference in Mumbai, she claimed that many senior and junior leaders from the Marathwada region had contacted her about wanting to join Sharad Pawar?s NCP.
The reality on the ground is that Sharad Pawar?s NCP lacks strong candidates in these five MLAs? constituencies, making Pawar likely eager to welcome them back. A leader from Ajit Pawar?s NCP mentioned that their party is also in touch with the MLAs who met with Jayant Patil in Mumbai. ?Nothing is final, and we are sure nobody will leave,? he claimed.
Some of these MLAs have been promised official funds for their constituencies, while others have been offered legislative council berths in the governor?s quota if their constituencies go to the BJP in seat-sharing talks. The biggest concern for most MLAs from Ajit Pawar's camp is losing their constituency if it is handed over to Mahayuti partners BJP or Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena in the upcoming assembly seat-sharing discussions.
Ajit Pawar?s party is now undertaking efforts to convince these leaders that they will be accommodated in the state legislative council if they do not get candidatures in their own assembly constituencies. The political maneuvers within the NCP highlight the ongoing battle for influence and power as Maharashtra's political landscape continues to evolve.
