Mumbai: Veteran politician Sharad Pawar firmly dismissed mounting speculation about reconciling with his nephew, Ajit Pawar, stating unequivocally that he “will never support” any alliance with the faction that joined hands with the BJP . His remarks reinforced a clear break with the Ajit Pawar-led group, which split from the NCP in July 2023 by joining the Shiv Sena–BJP alliance.
“We will never align with a BJP-led alliance,” he said while addressing a press conference in Nagpur.
Sharad Pawar previously emphasized ideological disparities, asserting that his faction would only align with parties rooted in Gandhian and Ambedkarite principles—distancing itself from the faction seen as driven by opportunism.
These statements reaffirm a persistent divide within the once-united Nationalist Congress Party, negating recent media-driven speculation about a possible reunion.
On August 3, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar were seen together at the engagement ceremony of Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew Yugendra Pawar in Mumbai. This led to speculations over their reunion.
“Rahul Gandhi’s vote theft charge well-researched”
Sharad Pawar said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s presentation on “vote theft” was well-researched and well-documented. He added that it is up to the Election Commission to look into the matter.
He also admitted that the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi should have been more careful before the assembly elections in Maharashtra. “We should have looked into it earlier and been careful,” he added, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
