POWER, FAMILY AND POLITICS: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAJOR BATTLE WITHIN THE NACP: DEVANAND SINGH

POWER, FAMILY AND POLITICS: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAJOR BATTLE WITHIN THE NACP: DEVANAND SINGH

12-FEB-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------Maharashtra politics is once again undergoing turmoil. What is unfolding within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is not merely a party struggle, but a story of a clash between power, legacy, and political ambition. Sharad Pawar's recent statements, along with emerging videos, meetings, and source information, have made it clear that despite his claims of "everything is normal," deep fissures exist within the NCP.

Following Ajit Pawar's untimely demise, events at both the party and family levels rapidly changed. Sharad Pawar publicly attempted to cool the political temperature by stating that there were no problems within the family and that decisions were being made by senior leaders. However, in politics, events matter more than words. The Sharad-Ajit meeting in Baramati on January 17th, the subsequent video that surfaced, and the proposed merger date of February 12th—all these signals indicate that a major decision between the two factions of the NCP was almost certain.

According to sources, Jayant Patil, Ajit Pawar, and Shashikant Shinde had been in constant talks for the past four months. It was also almost certain that the formal announcement of the merger of the two factions of the NCP would be made on February 12th. But fate had other plans. Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash not only halted this process but also plunged the party into a whirlpool of confusion and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, a new debate emerged in political circles: the politics of "daughter-in-law versus father-in-law." Sumitra Pawar's activism and the meetings held at her home raised the question of whether the power struggle within the family was now becoming more open. Sharad Pawar may claim the family is united, but Sumitra Pawar's displeasure, her dissatisfaction with the swearing-in ceremony, and her meetings with some senior leaders indicate that all is not well.

The NCP was once known for its disciplined cadre, strong organization, and clear leadership. But today, like the symbol of a "clock," the same party seems to be disintegrating over time. On one hand, there is the desire for power, and on the other, there is the question of ideological and organizational unity. An experienced leader like Sharad Pawar is well aware that in Maharashtra politics, it is difficult to keep an organization afloat without power. This is why he is constantly trying to strike a balance, trying not to offend either the family or senior leaders.

According to recent information, several senior leaders, including Chhagan Bhujbal, are still in favor of the merger, but they are refraining from speaking out openly. The reason is clear: leadership issues. With Ajit Pawar's departure, the pivot around which the entire merger strategy revolved has been broken. The question now is whether leaders like Jayant Patil will be able to fill that void, or will the NCP remain divided into two poles.

Sharad Pawar's silence and "no comment" strategy speak volumes. He knows that a single wrong statement could completely divide the party. But prolonged ambiguity in politics is also detrimental. Workers, MLAs, and supporters are all searching for direction.

From the juncture at which the NCP stands today, there are only two paths. The first is to bring all factions together, form a clear leadership structure, and make a strong return to power. The second is to allow internal conflicts to continue, causing the party to gradually lose its support base and political weight. Sumitra Pawar's role, the stance of senior leaders, and Sharad Pawar's final decision will determine the NCP's future.

For now, it is certain that this "big game" in Maharashtra politics is far from over. The questions raised on the oath of power, the announcement of merger and the unity of the family will intensify in the coming days and then it will become clear whether the NCP's time will move forward or it will disintegrate further with time.