BJP Wants Pawar Factions to Reunite Before Alliance

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reportedly exploring a roadmap to bring a reunited Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but only after Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) and the Ajit Pawar-led faction, now represented by Sunetra Pawar after Ajit Pawar's death, merge into a single political entity. According to reports, the BJP is not considering the induction of Sharad Pawar's faction alone, nor does it favour a direct merger of the NCP into the BJP, preferring instead to retain the party as a distinct NDA ally.

The NCP Split and Its Aftermath

The NCP split in 2023 after Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. The two factions subsequently fought legal battles over the party's name and election symbol, resulting in the emergence of Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) and Ajit Pawar's NCP as separate political entities.

There were intermittent attempts to reunite the party through 2024 and early 2025. However, reports suggest that the reconciliation process stalled after Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash. Sharad Pawar later acknowledged that the reunification process had been interrupted, leaving Maharashtra with two rival NCP factions.

BJP's Formula: Merger First, NDA Later

According to political reports, the BJP leadership believes a unified NCP would be a stronger and more stable regional ally than separate factions. The reported proposal outlines three conditions: both NCP factions must reunite first; the merged party should join the NDA as an independent ally; and there will be no direct merger of Sharad Pawar's party into the BJP.

Discussions are also believed to include organisational and power-sharing arrangements. Reports suggest that the Sunetra Pawar camp is keen on securing key organisational positions and significant ministerial representation, while senior leaders such as Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal are said to favour a broader distribution of responsibilities within a reunited party.

Why the BJP Sees Strategic Value

The timing of these developments coincides with the NDA government's broader legislative priorities, including proposed constitutional amendments related to Lok Sabha expansion, delimitation and the implementation of women's reservation.

Political observers believe Sharad Pawar's relatively softer position on the delimitation issue has fuelled speculation that he may be open to issue-based engagement with the BJP. A reunited NCP within the NDA could strengthen the alliance's parliamentary numbers, reinforce its political position in Maharashtra and provide greater support for future legislative initiatives.

Current Status and Possible Scenarios

Recent meetings involving Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and leaders from both Pawar camps have intensified speculation about a possible political realignment. While all parties have publicly described these interactions as routine, reports indicate that informal proposals for reunification have been conveyed.

At the same time, Sharad Pawar has maintained that no structured discussions on a merger are currently underway, while BJP leaders insist that any decision must originate within the NCP itself before the NDA considers a formal alliance.

Political Arithmetic Will Determine the Next Move

The BJP's reported "NCP first, NDA later" strategy reflects a long-term political calculation rather than a short-term electoral adjustment. A reunited NCP would provide the NDA with a stronger regional partner while preserving the identity of a significant Maharashtra-based political force. However, substantial challenges remain, including leadership ambitions, organisational control and ideological differences between the two factions. Whether the proposal evolves into a formal political realignment will depend on the willingness of both Pawar camps to set aside past divisions in favour of a shared future, making Maharashtra's political landscape one of the key arenas to watch in the coming months.

(With agency inputs)