Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Sharad Pawar Rules Out BJP Alliance Amid NCP Merger Speculation
Maharashtra politics is seeing fresh questions about the two NCP groups.
Sharad Pawar says his group will not ally with the BJP.
He says his party is open to people who want to join.
The NCP split in 2023 after Ajit Pawar’s faction joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government.
The article says that after Ajit Pawar’s death, Sunetra Pawar leads that faction in the Mahayuti government.
The Sharad faction is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi with Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress.
Some politicians and analysts are discussing a reunion or future strategy, but no merger has been announced.
Analysts differ on whether Sharad Pawar will help unite the INDIA bloc or focus on Maratha voters and the cooperative network before 2029.
Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) has ruled out an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Pawar said his party’s doors were open to people who wanted to join it.
The Nationalist Congress Party split in 2023 after Ajit Pawar’s faction joined the Bharatiya Janata Party–Shiv Sena government.
The Election Commission recognised Ajit Pawar’s faction as the Nationalist Congress Party, while Sharad Pawar’s group was named Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).
Speculation continues over a possible reunion of the factions and Sharad Pawar’s strategy ahead of the 2029 elections.
- Who
- Sharad Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), the Sunetra Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party faction, and the Bharatiya Janata Party are central to the developments.
- What
- Sharad Pawar has ruled out an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party while speculation continues about a possible reunion of the two NCP factions.
- When
- The NCP split in 2023; renewed speculation emerged before Parliament’s monsoon session and continues ahead of the 2029 elections.
- Where
- Maharashtra politics and Parliament.
- Why
- The split factions have different political alignments, and their possible reunion could affect alliances, representation, constituencies, leadership, and election strategy.
No Formal BJP Alliance
Merger and Strategic Cooperation Speculation
Alliance with the BJP
No Formal BJP Alliance
Sharad Pawar’s faction has maintained an anti-BJP position since 2023, and Pawar has now explicitly ruled out an alliance.
Merger and Strategic Cooperation Speculation
The BJP has welcomed support for passing parliamentary Bills, although the article says it has not sought a formal alliance with Sharad Pawar’s faction.
Reunion of the NCP factions
No Formal BJP Alliance
No merger or reunion has been announced, and the Sharad Pawar faction remains part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Merger and Strategic Cooperation Speculation
Political circles continue to speculate about backroom discussions and a possible unification with the Sunetra Pawar-led faction.
Sharad Pawar’s 2029 strategy
No Formal BJP Alliance
Some believe Pawar could play an important role in reuniting the INDIA bloc against the BJP.
Merger and Strategic Cooperation Speculation
Analysts believe he may instead focus on consolidating the Maratha vote and the cooperative network ahead of the 2029 elections.
- Sharad Pawar’s position
- His faction says it will not ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
- Party accessions
- Sharad Pawar said the party’s doors were open to those who wanted to join.
- NCP split
- The Nationalist Congress Party split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar’s faction joined the Bharatiya Janata Party–Shiv Sena government.
- Election Commission decision
- The Election Commission recognised Ajit Pawar’s faction as the Nationalist Congress Party and gave Sharad Pawar’s faction the name Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).
- Current alliances
- The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, while the Sunetra Pawar-led faction is part of the Mahayuti government.
- Election outlook
- Analysts say Sharad Pawar may either help consolidate the INDIA bloc or focus on the Maratha vote and cooperative network ahead of 2029.